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A functioning navigation app on the cell phone should offer more than just pure route planning. The little-known Google Maps alternative “Magic Earth” comes with a dashcam function and warns of unexpected driving movements when you leave the lane.
Driving assistance systems can not only be found directly in the car. There are also navigation apps that offer such services. This includes the “Magic Earth” application, which is available free of charge for iOS and Android.
The assistance functions of “Magic Earth” can be activated when the smartphone is in landscape format in a holder and the camera has a clear view of the road. The app warns, for example, when you leave your lane, the distance to the car in front is too small or pedestrians cross the street. And there’s a dash cam feature to record your ride so you have video evidence in the event of an accident.
3D, satellite and live view
For display and route planning with real-time traffic information, the app otherwise uses map material based on the Open Street Map project. However, 3D and satellite views are also available. In the case of tricky lane changes or turning situations, the app can also bring the live image from the smartphone camera to the display and use arrows to show where to go.
With the help of offline maps, you can be independent of the mobile internet in 233 countries and regions. Turn-by-turn navigation is not only available for cars, it can also be switched to cycling, walking and local transport.
Carplay support
“Magic Earth” also supports Apple Carplay, but not yet Android Auto. If you use the app in Carplay mode, you can see the navigation map on the display of the car entertainment system.
The iPhone in the windscreen mount then serves as the “eyes and ears” for the “Magic Earth” assistance features and only shows warnings on its display if you leave your lane or a pedestrian runs into the street.
No tracking, no ads
An advantage for everyone who doesn’t like to reveal their data: Magic Earth promises to be tracking-free, i.e. not to track usage, and also not to store any personal data of users. There are no ads in the app either.
What there is, on the other hand, is a wealth of potentially interesting places (POI) including associated Wikipedia entries for further information. The weather isn’t missing either: “Magic Earth” shows the temperature at a location and what the weather is supposed to be there for the next 14 days. And last but not least, parking spaces, petrol stations and charging stations or restaurants along the route can be selected.
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