
When you need to navigate somewhere, you'll likely turn to one of two apps – Google Maps or Apple Maps. Yes, gone are the days of trying to pin down a flailing Ordnance Survey to the bonnet of your Ford Escort – these apps ensure you have a reliable means of navigation, whether you use an iPhone or an Android phone.
Generally speaking, Google Maps is the more popular app. That's hardly surprising – it comes as standard on all Android products, while Apple Maps is only native to devices produced by the brand.
But now, there may be another option. Recently, four massive companies collaborated to build an open-source mapping system, offering an alternative to the big two apps in the space. The Overture Maps Foundation sees Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and TomTom come together on the project.
They've just released their first set of maps, which are available for developers to integrate into their software. There are four themes to download – Places, Buildings, Transportation and Administration.
The software is free for developers. That's a big deal, as both Apple and Google charge for their options in different ways.
So, what's going to change for you? Well, nothing overnight. But as time goes on, you may start to see more and more apps opting to use the Overture data instead of more popular options.
If it does gain enough traction, Apple and Google may be forced to improve their respective offerings to remain popular with developers. We've already seen a number of updates in recent years. Google Maps, for example, launched Immersive View for Routes earlier this year, which offers a 3D representation of your journey before you set off. It even shows things like traffic and weather.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Those kinds of features will be crucial to retaining the popularity of the legacy apps. If they don't want to drop their fees for using the platforms to compete on a financial basis, they'll have to offer enough to justify the outlay.
Of course, this is all speculative. The Overture product has only just launched, so it hasn't been integrated yet. Anything could happen, and until it makes its mark, Google and Apple have no reason to worry.

Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
-
Nothing Phone (3) could launch sooner than expected, as official teases start online
Nothing appears to be preparing for its next flagship phone launch, finally
-
Arlo cameras can now detect screams, gun shots and glass breaks, thanks to AI upgrades
Arlo debuts Secure 6 subscription service with new AI upgrades
-
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses under threat from an old rival – have two years to prepare for battle
Will they be as stylish though?
-
These are my top 5 deals in Amazon's Tech Week
Tech Week is bringing discounts on a range of TVs, laptops, smartwatches and more on Amazon right now
-
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launch official – and it's very soon
The revolutionary phone will be here in a matter of days
-
Google Maps gets an iPhone update that'll become an everyday essential for many
This will make trip planning much easier
-
Microsoft intros two new Surface devices at more affordable price points
One has the longest battery life of any Surface so far
-
Massive Google blunder reveals the biggest design upgrade in Android history
A fresh new look could be coming to Android really soon
-
I tried Apple’s fastest Mac and it blew my mind
How much faster really is the Mac Studio M3 Ultra?
-
Xbox Series X/S – how to beat the brutal price hike
Xbox is raising its prices globally, but you can still get deals if you're quick