Ordnance Survey is celebrating the success of its OS MapFinder app, one year after it launched.
The app, which originally launched on iOS, became available to Android users later in 2013 and with downloads totalling over 175,000, it’s proving very popular with outdoor enthusiasts and people looking to explore more of Great Britain.
“We are thrilled with how OS MapFinder has been received since its launch and topped off the year by including National Park bundles of 1:25 000 scale and regional bundles at 1:50 000 scale, providing an added convenience and giving users more value for money,” said Nick Giles, Managing Director of Ordnance Survey Leisure.
OS MapFinder is free to download and includes free overview mapping for the whole of Great Britain. Once downloaded, the app allows users to purchase and download more detailed map data for outdoor leisure use. With over 175,000 downloads, the app is proving useful for many people planning and taking part in outdoor activities. There are details of over 33,000 kilometres of routes recorded using the app and a further 28,000 kilometres of routes planned using the app. It has also appeared in a range of Top App guides for 2013 including The Telegraph’s 500 ‘Must Have’ apps.
The most popular areas for users downloading small tiles of more detailed mapping include the Lake District, Snowdon and the Peak District while the regional bundles including London, South East and South West and the National Parks are proving popular following the introduction of regional ‘bundles’.
A unique feature of the fast and easy to use app is the tile download facility, which provides users with the ultimate freedom to choose the maps they want. All maps are stored on the device, meaning they can be used even without a Wi-Fi or mobile signal, improving reliability and the experience of using the maps outdoors. OS MapFinder allows users to record or draw their walking, cycling or running routes, track the distance covered and time taken as well as upload photos and commentary along the way.
Nick added: “OS MapFinder is the ideal tool for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. If you want to get the most out of an area or are planning a holiday or day trip, you can explore the area in more detail with OS MapFinder.”
“We are also working on making the Android version compatible with the Kindle Fire tablet, so it will be available on the Amazon app store ensuring people can access it from a wide range of different devices.”
More information about OS MapFinder app is at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/