Mapquest and TomTom Open Data Editing to Users

By now you’ve likely heard that MapQuest has put Potlatch (the graphical online OpenStreetMap [OSM] editor) and JOSM (the downloadable editor) directly into the interface when OSM data powers the map, so users can edit OSM data. That was not unexpected what with MapQuest’s big investment in the data project.

But, now there’s word that TomTom is heading in the same direction, but with different hardware and software. In what sounds like the next generation of Map Share comes a more widely available editing option: “Engineers are now developing a new edition that will allow TomTom’s 50 million users to update maps through online editing tools across every TomTom platform such as smartphones, on the web and PNDs.” The edits will be quality checked, which says “TomTom board member and co-founder and former chief executive of digital map-maker Tele Atlas” [corrected per comment below] Alain De Taeye, is what separates TomTom’s data from OSM. Also: “De Taeye confirmed that TomTom is also opening its application interface, or API, to allow third party developers to create location-based applications that can be bought from a TomTom app store and downloaded to its devices. He declined to say when developers will get access to the APIs or when the store will be launched.”

- MapQuest Blog
- WSJ