Is Google Maps finally over? Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta team up to launch Overture Maps Foundation to release open map dataset



The Overture Maps Foundation, an initiative of major IT companies Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and others to develop open and interoperable map data, has released four open datasets as generally available (GA). Member companies such as Meta and Microsoft have already incorporated the map data into their own services.

Overture Maps Foundation Releases General Availability of its Open Maps Datasets – Overture Maps Foundation

https://overturemaps.org/overture-maps-foundation-releases-general-availability-of-its-open-maps-datasets/

Backed by Microsoft, AWS and Meta, the Overture Maps Foundation launches its first open map datasets | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/24/backed-by-microsoft-aws-and-meta-the-overture-maps-foundation-launches-first-open-map-datasets/

The Overture Maps Foundation is an organization founded in 2022 by three major IT companies and map company TomTom under the auspices of the Linux Foundation. The alpha version of the map dataset, which is expected to rival Google Maps and Apple Maps, was released in 2023, the first beta version in April 2024, and the GA version has now been officially released.

Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and others release open map datasets that can compete with Google Maps and Apple Maps - GIGAZINE



'This GA release is just the beginning. The next generation of our maps products will enable a wide range of services, and Overture is at the forefront of developing the open map data that will power that innovation. Meta is already leveraging this dataset in maps across Meta applications, so we encourage you to see it, use it, and help us improve it,' said Jan-Erik Solem, chair of the Overture Steering Committee and director of maps at Meta.

The released map data includes the following four themes:

◆1: Building
It includes the footprints, or land area, of 2.3 billion buildings around the world, and is used in geographic information services such as Microsoft's Bing Maps and ESRI's ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, as well as Addresscloud, which provides flood risk information to insurance companies. Potential use cases include real estate management, risk assessment, economic development planning, and 3D visualization content.

◆2: Tourist attractions
The app contains data on 54 million tourist attractions around the world, with new data being added over time. Users can overlay social signals onto their tourist attractions.

◆3: District
To support international use, it includes country and administrative boundary lines translated into 40 different languages.

◆4: Base map
Context layers contain the underlying land and water data for the map.

Overtur also provides visualization tools that make it easy to view the map data.

Overture Maps Explorer (Beta)
https://explore.overturemaps.org/



The release also coincides with the release of the alpha version of the new Addresses theme, which includes 200 million addresses in 14 countries, and the beta version of Public Transport, which is expected to be released in GA within the next few months.

in Web Service, Posted by log1l_ks