14 DAY TRIAL // Foursquare has announced that it is getting rid of Google Maps and will start using OpenStreetMap data for its website instead. What it means is that there will be different map data but also that the map will look different.
"Starting today, we’re embracing the OpenStreetMap movement, so all the maps you see when you go to foursquare.com will look a tiny bit different (we think the new ones are really pretty)," Foursquare announced on its blog.
"Other than slightly different colors and buttons, though, foursquare is still the same site you know and love," it added.
Foursquare has been relying on the Google Maps API for the maps on the site so far. But it has now started using data from OpenStreetMap, the crowdsourced online map project.
OpenStreetMap has been around for years and offers rather complete map data in some places. The data is also available under an open license and for free.
But OpenStreetMap is not the prettiest such app around, so Foursquare tapped MapBox which just launched MapBox Streets, a map alternative based on OpenStreetMap data but with a prettier design and plenty of customization options.
"We love the idea of supporting open data through OpenStreetMap, and MapBox gives us greater flexibility on tile design for custom maps. And while OpenStreetMap has come a long way, there’s still a bit of work to be done to create an atlas of the whole world," Foursquare added.
Foursquare decided to switch providers since it found the new Google Maps API pricing too expensive. The Google Maps API had been free for everyone, but Google announced that it would start charging really big users.
Foursquare certainly counts as one and the company decided paying for Google Maps data wasn't worth it and sought free or at least cheaper alternatives, it settled on OpenStreetMap, in particular the MapBox version.
The change only affects the maps on the site, the mobile apps will continue to use whatever map app comes by default, which means Google Maps on both iOS and Android.