Muireann-Alternative methods to google maps is it the best option?

Since our project will be using the location of the user to make it more targeted specifically at the user's experience and only getting updated and warnings on things that affect them and the levels of risk.
the first one I found was called

Pocket Earth:

I downloaded the app myself to get a better feel for it. it is only an app on iso and not on android. We want it to be a one-stop-shop for all users across all platforms including android and Web. I tried using the app and found it quite confusing as a first time user which is not what we want in times of crisis it seems to be more tailored to visiting areas of interest as it is linked to things such as Wikipedia to give a greater understanding of an area which is an interesting concept and you are able to use it offline.

in our project, we could possibly link it to other reliable sources such as the HSE. It should also have the option of going offline.

I do like how there are customisable markers but if we were to add stuff like that to our own project it would probably be unnecessary as we don't want to over complicate it as it is for older users it might make it more confusing. I also don't like when u zoom out the farthest it can go that it gives u three world maps it just makes it confusing.

OsmAnd

This map is on ios and android but is not on the web once again. It is known for its great offline server even when you do not have a signal which could be useful for users all over the world it also has frequent updates. I again downloaded the app and found the startup very slow when looking for a suitable map to download for my region.i skipped the offline download and found when I zoomed passed a certain point there weren't any roads I don't know if that was it was loading for a very long time of that I needed to download the offline map for access

 

Citymapper

Is the first one I found that is on ios android and the web making it a better fit for our project. but is much more focused in its view only serving public transport showing pricings and alerts. when I downloaded it it seemed that it only did certain countries such as the UK and that we were out of range not making it suitable for a global scale

Maps.me

is on ios android and web traffic info public transport cycling navigation etc. allows u download maps for offline use. as soon as I downloaded it it went straight to my location and downloaded Munster. When it had finished I loved the layout it allowed me to click on local monuments and filling stations. It actually thought me the name of a nearby graveyard.

 

Bing maps

this is only a web one which is not what we are looking for as we want both mobile and web owned by Microsoft. when comparing to google maps its 3d element of os views are great.

Here WeGo

is on android ios and web and has all the regular map functions but has some extra things such as police reports cameras twitter feeds construction sites and other data to keep informed. This could be useful when trying to link other things into the mapping and location of a person and how things such as corona might affect them like possibly linking local radio stations or news broadcasters in the area and what they are saying and what info we can get from them. I downloaded it and found it to be very user friendly I really enjoyed the layout it definitely seemed worldwide and when I zoomed in it got loads of minor town in Ireland that you usually wouldn't see giving it a more local vibe it did take a few minutes to load but nothing in compared to the other ones I have used already. it also had an easy access menu and I was able to download Ireland for offline use.

BackCountry Navigator 

this is only on android but is one of the few that deals with a topography which can be great for hikers but also when there are natural disasters and how to might not be affected if u were high up on a mountain or maybe more at risk if you were. I was not able to access and see this one as it was only on android.

Waze

is on ios android and the web and is a community-driven map service which lets you warn other drivers in a change of traffic and is updated by the millions of Waze users it was so popular that Google bought it out. This could be used in our project in the case of local updated in a person area on the goings-on and effects of things such as corona and updating it by telling people local knowledge of what's happening and how it affects the area. the graphics when opened it were very nice you can definitely tell it is owned by google as when I realised it took the dark mode from my phone only big apps/developers team up with apple.it has a similar feel to google maps maybe a bit simpler. it doesn't let you zoom out further than the country you are in. I like the little red dots it has for construction areas we could do something similar with cases in the country.