Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are collaborating on a maps project to break the domination of Apple and Google
Major players in the tech industry, including Meta, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and TomTom, have teamed up to provide an alternative to Google and Apple’s online maps. These giants have been charging mobile app developers for access to their mapping services for years. The group is releasing valuable data that will allow companies to create their own maps, without having to rely on Google or Apple. This move is expected to provide more options for developers in the market and potentially drive down costs for mapping services.
Last year, the Overture Maps Foundation was established, and it has since gathered 59 million points of interest, including restaurants, landmarks, streets, and regional borders. The data has been cleaned and formatted, making it available for use as a free base layer for a new map application. The data was donated to Overture by Meta and Microsoft, according to Marc Prioleau, executive director of the OMF. In an interview with CNBC, Prioleau noted that collecting and licensing data on places is a challenging task, and building map data requires a significant amount of time and staff to gather and clean. Rather than investing money in building map data, companies are now seeking collaboration around the open base map.
Many businesses find fault with Google’s and Apple’s maps, as they don’t provide access to the underlying data. Overture aims to establish a baseline for maps data, which companies can use to construct and operate their own maps. Rather than offering direct access to the data, these companies allow app makers to use their maps as a service, often charging for each access to the underlying map.
One way that app developers can access Google Maps is by paying per thousand lookups through an API. For native app developers, Apple Maps is available for free, but web app developers may have to pay to use it.
According to Prioleau, the approach works well for some individuals but not for all. Overture is only providing access to the core map data and leaving the responsibility of developing the software to the companies. Digital maps play a pivotal role in almost all mobile applications.
Advanced technologies such as self-driving cars and augmented reality necessitate high-quality mapping software to function correctly. By utilizing Overture’s data, companies can integrate their proprietary information, such as precise delivery locations for a delivery app, to personalize their offerings.
Before Overture, other organizations had already attempted to create map data that can be used freely or inexpensively. One of these is OpenStreetMap, which relies on data from the crowd. Meta also utilizes this data in its maps. According to Prioleau, who was previously employed at Meta, Overture aims to differentiate itself from OpenStreetMap by intensively verifying and curating its data.
Keeping map data up to date can be a major challenge, especially as businesses close and roads change. However, the foundation is hopeful that its members will provide enough real-time information to allow for regular, accurate updates rather than a one-time data dump. To achieve this, Prioleau proposes using artificial intelligence technology and other automated techniques.
According to Prioleau, creating maps is a lifelong pursuit. This is one reason why some companies don’t see the value in cleaning up data, as they are willing to share it since it’s not a strategic advantage for them.