OpenStreetMap, launched in 2004, has grown into one of the most successful collaboratively maintained open datasets in the world. Today, contributors to the maps include not just keen local mappers, but also a diverse mix of commercial organisations, non-governmental organisations, humanitarian organisations and also large commercial organisations
Google Maps is the runaway king, each of these companies have (at great expense) created their own maps which have barely gained traction outside their own services.
OpenStreetMaps is the only option left.
Watch out for oversimplifications, it really depends on the map use-case.
For the general public (desktop/smartphone directions and POI search) it’s true that GM is the most popular and often has better user-friendlyness. Actual map data quality really depends on where you’re looking; it’s trivial to find bad areas with any provider, harder to get an unbiased general picture.
For use-cases like data analysis, games, map design, fun experiments, license and privacy, OSM has long been the obvious go-to.
For things like autonomous driving, you might be surprised to hear that Here is alive and kicking. Google probably has comparable data, but they’re not sharing.
Some newcomers like planet.com offer something unique that’ll be hard to compete with. Others like Mapillary seem to be thriving despite competing in a crowded niche.
The battles are not over, and all the actors keep pushing forward.
I think that rather reinforces my point rather than contradicts it.
Apple Maps is basically dead in the water outside of Apple Services. Bing the same. Facebook maps have been DOA.
Although I grant you different services have different strengths, in terms of market share, its a simple two horse race of OSM and Google. It is in the interest of the Apple/FB/MS to ensure they don’t have to rely on Google’s services and have an alternative they can fall back on.
My point wasn’t trying to contradict yours
I share your analysis of why Apple/FB/MS currently contribute to OSM.
But portraying GM as the “runaway king of maps” is narrow-minded: mapping is a pretty wide field, and GM only clearly leads in a small part of that field (although it is the most visible part). Other projects are leading in other maping fields, and OSM slowly but steadily encroaches on GM’s home turf.
What does Tesla use? Definitely not an “off the shelf GM†if they use that software at all.
If they don’t use GM, then I feel that you —have— to include Tesla maps in there.
And so what if Apple Maps is only used in Apple services. I use it all the time and it is extremely rare that it has steered me wrong. I use it multiple times a day.