comparison of mapping apps
Overview
editWeb mapping
editWeb mapping or online mapping is the process of using the maps delivered by geographic information systems (GIS) on the Internet, more specifically in the World Wide Web (WWW). A web map or online map is both served and consumed, thus web mapping is more than just web cartography, it is a service by which consumers may choose what the map will show.[1] Web GIS emphasizes geodata processing aspects more involved with design aspects such as data acquisition and server software architecture such as data storage and algorithms, than it does the end-user reports themselves.[2]
The terms web GIS and web mapping remain somewhat synonymous. Web GIS uses web maps, and end users who are web mapping are gaining analytical capabilities. The term location-based services refers to web mapping consumer goods and services.[3] Web mapping usually involves a web browser or other user agent capable of client-server interactions.[4] Questions of quality, usability, social benefits, and legal constraints are driving its evolution.[5][6]
The advent of web mapping can be regarded as a major new trend in cartography. Until recently cartography was restricted to a few companies, institutes and mapping agencies, requiring relatively expensive and complex hardware and software as well as skilled cartographers and geomatics engineers.
Web mapping has brought many geographical datasets, including free ones generated by OpenStreetMap and proprietary datasets owned by HERE, Google, Tencent, TomTom, and others. A range of free software to generate maps has also been conceived and implemented alongside proprietary tools like ArcGIS. As a result, the barrier to entry for serving maps on the web has been lowered.
turn-by-turn navigation
editTurn-by-turn Navigation is a feature of some GPS navigation devices where directions for a selected route are continually presented to the user in the form of spoken or visual instructions.[7] The system keeps the user up-to-date about the best route to the destination, and is often updated according to changing factors such as traffic and road conditions.[8] Turn-by-turn systems typically use an electronic voice to inform the user whether to turn left or right, the street name, and how much distance to the turn. [9]
Mathematically, turn by turn navigation is based on the shortest path problem within graph theory, which examines how to identify the path that best meets some criteria (shortest, cheapest, fastest, etc.) between two points in a large network.
satellite navigation
edit
A satellite navigation or satnav system is a system that uses satellites to provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning. It allows small electronic receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude/elevation) to high precision (within a few centimeters to metres) using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio from satellites. The system can be used for providing position, navigation or for tracking the position of something fitted with a receiver (satellite tracking). The signals also allow the electronic receiver to calculate the current local time to high precision, which allows time synchronisation. These uses are collectively known as Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT). Satnav systems operate independently of any telephonic or internet reception, though these technologies can enhance the usefulness of the positioning information generated.
A satellite navigation system with global coverage may be termed a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). As of September 2020[update], the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) [10] and the European Union's Galileo[11] are fully operational GNSSs. Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a (US) GPS satellite-based augmentation system to enhance the accuracy of GPS, with satellite navigation independent of GPS scheduled for 2023.[12] The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) plans to expand to a global version in the long term.[13]
Global coverage for each system is generally achieved by a satellite constellation of 18–30 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites spread between several orbital planes. The actual systems vary, but use orbital inclinations of >50° and orbital periods of roughly twelve hours (at an altitude of about 20,000 kilometres or 12,000 miles).
Standalone apps based on websites
editGoogle Maps
editGoogle Maps began as a C++ desktop program at Where 2 Technologies. In October 2004, the company was acquired by Google, which converted it into a web application. After additional acquisitions of a geospatial data visualization company and a real time traffic analyzer, Google Maps was launched in February 2005.[14] The service's front end utilizes JavaScript, XML, and Ajax. Google Maps offers an API that allows maps to be embedded on third-party websites,[15] and offers a locator for businesses and other organizations in numerous countries around the world. Google Map Maker allowed users to collaboratively expand and update the service's mapping worldwide but was discontinued from March 2017. However, crowdsourced contributions to Google Maps were not discontinued as the company announced those features would be transferred to the Google Local Guides program.[16]
Google Maps' satellite view is a "top-down" or bird's-eye view; most of the high-resolution imagery of cities is aerial photography taken from aircraft flying at 800 to 1,500 feet (240 to 460 m), while most other imagery is from satellites.[17] Much of the available satellite imagery is no more than three years old and is updated on a regular basis.[18] Google Maps previously used a variant of the Mercator projection, and therefore could not accurately show areas around the poles.[19] In August 2018, the desktop version of Google Maps was updated to show a 3D globe. It is still possible to switch back to the 2D map in the settings.
Google Maps for Android and iOS devices was released in September 2008 and features GPS turn-by-turn navigation along with dedicated parking assistance features. In August 2013, it was determined to be the world's most popular app for smartphones, with over 54% of global smartphone owners using it at least once.[20]
See also
editreferences
edit- ^ Parker, C.J., May, A. and Mitchell, V. (2013), “The role of VGI and PGI in supporting outdoor activities”, Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 44 No. 6, pp. 886–94.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
KraakSettingsAndNeedswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Parker, C.J., May, A., Mitchell, V. and Burrows, A. (2013), “Capturing Volunteered Information for Inclusive Service Design: Potential Benefits and Challenges”, The Design Journal, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 197–218.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
web_histwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Brown, M.; Sharples, Sarah; Harding, Jenny; Parker, Christopher J.; Bearman, N.; Maguire, M.; Forrest, D.; Haklay, M.; Jackson, M. (2013). "Usability of Geographic Information: Current challenges and future directions" (PDF). Applied Ergonomics. 44 (6): 855–865. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2012.10.013. PMID 23177775.
- ^ Parker, Christopher J. (2014). "User-centred design of neogeography: the impact of volunteered geographic information on users' perceptions of online map 'mashups'". Ergonomics. 57 (7): 987–997. doi:10.1080/00140139.2014.909950. PMID 24827070. S2CID 13458260.
- ^ Button, Kenneth J.; David A. Hensher (2001). Handbook of transport systems and traffic control. Emerald Group Publishing. p. 497. ISBN 978-0-08-043595-4.
- ^ Targowski, Andrzej (1998). Global information infrastructure: the birth, vision, and architecture. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. p. 264. ISBN 978-1-878289-32-2.
- ^ Jacko, Julie A. (2009). Human computer interaction. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 141. ISBN 978-3-642-02579-2.
- ^ "China's GPS rival Beidou is now fully operational after final satellite launched". cnn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
- ^ "Galileo Initial Services". gsa.europa.eu. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Kriening, Torsten (23 January 2019). "Japan Prepares for GPS Failure with Quasi-Zenith Satellites". SpaceWatch.Global. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "Global Indian Navigation system on cards". The Hindu Business Line. 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
- ^ "Google Company: Our history in depth". google.co.uk. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^ "What is the Google Maps API?". Archived from the original on April 20, 2012.
- ^ Perez, Sarah. "Google to shut down Map Maker, its crowdsourced map editing tool | TechCrunch". Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Blurry or Outdated Imagery". Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ "How Often is Google Maps and Google Earth Updated?". Technicamix.com. October 18, 2011. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ "Map Types – Google Maps JavaScript API v3 — Google Developers". Google Inc. July 27, 2012. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "Google+ Smartphone App Popularity". Business Insider. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.