The Other Map App – Maps With Me!
One of the most frustrating things about Google Maps is that for many parts of the world, there’s no download for offline use option. If starting a route while online, normally Google Maps will cache that route. However, it isn’t always the case that we have the opportunity to view a route prior to ending up in a situation where we require a map. Those with 2G only will find downloading or viewing a map frustratingly slow.
Even for those who are in a location where downloading the offline map area is allowed in Google Maps and who have a fast internet connections, it can still take up huge amounts of space.
Enter Maps With Me – a light, quick, easy to use map app, which offers the option to download entire countries or states for later usage. Even those with always-on fast data connections may find it handy to have an entire state or country pre-downloaded and ready to go should you fall out of an area with fast internet access. In addition, it can save on data usage by having an entire state or country pre-downloaded.
We ran into this situation just recently with a trip to Laos. We had no SIM access, and since Google Maps doesn’t allow offline downloading of Laos maps, we used Maps With Me to download the entire country of Laos in one go at the guest house where we had WiFi access. How big is the entire country of Laos map? 5mb. Yes, 5mb. Obviously this map won’t contain tons of data, but it’s enough to navigate and know where you are. It even had our guest house, as well as local temples and embassies.
Some other example sizes:
- India – 100mb
- Thailand – 33mb
- Japan – 460mb (Includes full travel guide)
- California – 230mb (Includes full travel guide)
- Florida – 74mb
Maps With Me uses data from http://www.openstreetmap.org which is constantly being updated by everyday users. The Lite version is free and includes full basic functionality, including downloading of any country or State available in the paid version. The paid version ($4.99 as of this post) also includes search function, map rotating, bookmarking and auto-follow mode.
This is not a navigation app. Even the paid version, while it does allow you to track yourself, doesn’t offer navigation services. Depending on your uses, this may or may not be a big matter for you.
What it does do well is show you where you’re at. When you’re a stranger in a strange land, Maps With Me is an app that every user should have installed. You can download Maps With Me from Google Play and give it a try for free.
https://gizbeat.com/3560/the-other-map-app-maps-with-me/https://gizbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/13953776661600.jpghttps://gizbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/13953776661600-150x150.jpgReviewsSoftwareTop Appsapp,map,mapsOne of the most frustrating things about Google Maps is that for many parts of the world, there's no download for offline use option. If starting a route while online, normally Google Maps will cache that route. However, it isn't always the case that we have the opportunity to...Damian Parsonshttps://plus.google.com/107879368390224447304 [email protected]AdministratorHi, I'm Damian Parsons. I've been working with Android phones since the first Droid came out. I'm fascinated by computers and technology. My first BBS were ran on an old Apple IIc and Commodore 64. I work hard to bring the latest updates to you every day - without all the boring fluff. Please subscribe to keep up on the newest China tech. See our forum -> www.chinaphonearena.comGizBeat
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