Telenav, announced the availability of its new Scout for Developers program, featuring a new Scout Maps and Navigation SDK. It is the first commercial-grade navigation for mobile app developers worldwide based on the crowd-sourced OpenStreetMap (OSM). It is also the first widely-available navigation SDK to offer hybrid (online and offline) navigation using OSM. OSM is a crowd-sourced map of the world that is often more detailed and updated than Google Maps and other commercially licensed maps.
The Scout for Developers program also includes a new Scout Maps API for desktop and mobile websites based on OSM. Strava will be one of the first companies to use the new OSM-based developer solution, with plans to integrate the Scout Maps API into the company’s popular GPS cycling and running mobile apps.
The new Scout for Developers solutions are powered by Scout’s highly-rated maps and navigation technology and include a high-level of customization, giving developers the ability decide on what detail is shown on the map, its color and styling all with the developer’s own branding.
“No one else – including the other major navigation app developers like Google and Apple – offers an SDK with offline navigation, that any developer can use,” said Philipp Kandal, managing director of the new Scout for Developers program. “Combining offline and online navigation with all the inherent advantages of OSM and with unparalleled map customization options, results in happy developers who can now offer map-based services exactly how they want them with minimal effort – across iOS and Android.”
Offline capability is completely customizable to allow developers to offer downloadable maps for offline navigation at any level, from an entire country down to a local neighborhood. Other capabilities of the Scout Maps and Navigation SDK include vector maps, unique route options such as pedestrian and biking trails, detail-rich OSM data like building footprints and bicycle routes, and options for colors, style, and branding. The Scout Maps API also includes support for a variety of language options. All of the developer solutions are available for both iOS and Android.
“With millions of GPS-tracked activities uploaded to Strava each week, displaying maps of our members’ activities is an important social component to the Strava experience,” said Mark Shaw, CTO at Strava. “The Scout Maps API provides the detail and ease of use that we need to continue to provide great service to the worldwide community of athletes on Strava.” Scout for Developers offers global coverage for its maps and navigation solutions and leverages the highly-rated Scout personalized GPS navigation app which, as announced separately today, uses OSM globally. The OSM community has doubled year over year to more than 1.6 million registered editors, with representatives mapping every country around the world. Its crowd-sourced model publishes edits every minute, resulting in maps that are often more detailed and more up to date than commercially available content.
The Scout Maps and Navigation SDK and the Scout Maps API are priced well below the competition and include free offerings. The Scout for Developers team is pleased to offer an easy onboarding process via the self-serve website developer.scout.me, which also includes pricing information and feature details.
