The mapping and maps have existed almost from time immemorial, but it has been in recent years when they have become an essential part of our life, especially due to the revolution brought about by the geolocation technologies such as GPS .
Apart from these new technologies, the current boom in maps has also been caused by the irruption of social networks and by the increasing use of smartphones . These three innovations have given rise to a wide range of services and applications related to digital cartography.
These new technological advances are opening a new path that presents itself with tremendous potential so that, in the short term, new products, resources or tools can be developed, since currently the big technology companies
Thus, personal browsers that already existed for a long time (PND / PNA) and the companies that were behind them, such as the TomTom as a reference brand, have been joined in recent years by large technology companies, which have Realizing that the data provided by the maps offers great possibilities to be profitable. The most important example: Google and its Maps .
But … which one is better? TomTom or Google Maps? Below its advantages and disadvantages and we will try to reach a conclusion.
Google Maps
When Google launched Maps in 2005, traditional browser makers, who were comfortably dominating the market, began to tremble. And it is that the technological giant put into operation a very ambitious project, which has advanced and improved in a marvelous way to this day.
Since then, the most important landmarks have passed through satellite view, Street View , mobile maps, Map Maker (a tool that allows independent users to provide useful information to improve maps) and currently interior locations and the new vector maps.
Google Maps is integrated into all Android phones . Convenient to use, it has everything we can ask for from a paid GPS but, at the moment, only with online navigation . For this reason, its main drawback is that, if we go on a trip and we do not want to take a surprise with roaming, we will not be able to use it.
On the contrary, one of its best features is the specific maps that we can obtain. Every time we enter our destination on the map, the application will inform us of the public transport lines, the best routes for cycling, information and photos about the landscape or traffic, that is, if there are retentions or not and If so, it will propose an alternative route if this is possible.
Other advantages of Google Maps are:
– Free.
– Always updated maps.
– Location of points of interest (hospitals, gas stations, hotels, etc.) without the need to preload them.
– To use in the car, but also on foot or by bike.
– Excellent level of detail.
– Suggestions for approximation or for online consultation if you do not remember the exact name.
Regarding disadvantages of Google Maps:
– Does not allow offline browsing .
– Absence of the option to download and install maps locally.
– High battery consumption.
– Does not offer some relevant data for the driver, such as current speed.
– Risk of receiving a call and losing the driver’s attention when having to re-activate the route.
TomTom
TomTom is the most popular personal browser. It was one of the first to appear, so its long experience ensures a very complete product and a very high quality in terms of maps. It has a modern and functional user interface. Its menu and screen management format is quite intuitive.
The continuous updating of maps (free for life of the product), replaces what could have been one of the main shortcomings with respect to Google Maps (which, being online, is automatic), despite the fact that, to be carried out, the device must be connected to the computer , registering as a user on the TomTom website. From time to time, then, we must connect it to the PC to update it.
The main drawback to TomTom, however, is that it ‘s a paid product , and it’s not exactly cheap. Currently we can find a wide range of TomToms ranging from € 100 to € 300, depending on their benefits.
Other TomTom advantages are:
– Places highlighted by other TomTom user drivers.
– Option of ecological routes.
– IQRoutes: the browser gives us the best route depending on the day and time we are going to do it.
– Lane indication function, which clarifies the next maneuver and prevents us from making mistakes.
– More precise visual and verbal indications than Google Maps.
As for TomTom downsides :
– Traffic information by paying an annual fee.
– Purchase of the corresponding map if we go abroad.
– Preload the points of interest before leaving on your trip.
– Little map storage space on lower-middle range devices.
– Cannot search destination by coordinates.
conclusion
With their strengths and weaknesses, the truth is that these two systems are great options to consider, since they both provide us with multiple high-quality solutions for our daily lives. It is everyone’s job to decide which one best suits our tastes and needs.
However, if in Your Technology Blog we had to choose one of the two, we would surely opt for Google Maps for several reasons: its free, its constant updating of maps without having to make any previous download and its quick and direct access from any device Android (the system of more than 88% of the mobiles in Spain). These 3 characteristics make it the most comfortable and functional system . In addition, its recent announcement to add offline navigation by the end of the year (it will not be necessary to have an Internet connection), will make it, even more, the most attractive browser on the market.
In short, data collection is increasing year after year with the aim of making it profitable in the future , which is why the supply is increasing. Thus, apart from Maps or TomTom, there are other equally good alternatives, such as Nokia’s HERE , Apple’s map service or OpenStreetMap , which are open-ended and feed on the voluntary participation and effort of all kinds of anonymous people.
