Tech giants collaborate on open-source mapping project to challenge Google and Apple

Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and TomTom have joined forces to create the Overture Maps Foundation, a collaborative initiative aimed at providing an alternative to Google Maps and Apple Maps.

After forming the foundation last year, the group has now released its first open map dataset, enabling third-party developers to build their own mapping and navigation products without relying on the dominant tech giants.

The dataset released by Overture includes almost 60 million places of interest, along with comprehensive data on buildings, transportation networks, and administrative boundaries.

Developers can now access and use this map data to create mapping applications or services that require navigation functionalities. The dataset is freely available on Overture's website, making it more accessible and cost-effective for developers compared to Google Maps' and Apple Maps' APIs, which come with associated fees.

Marc Prioleau, Overture's executive director, emphasizes the potential of the Places dataset, stating that it represents a vast open dataset previously unavailable to developers. This dataset has the power to map everything from large businesses to small enterprises and even pop-up street markets worldwide, empowering developers to create more diverse and dynamic mapping experiences.