OpenStreetMap
I am nearly finished with my Bada App for OSM. It sure gives credit to openstreetmap on each form :-)
I just use the tile server, to get the maps. The tiles get saved permanent at the handheld, so no double downloads. On the other hand, just at new installation of the app, a lot of tiles will get downloaded...
Wanted to ask now, if that is ok, and if i can send the app to samsung store...
Discussion
Comment from alv on 2 March 2011 at 15:06
Read http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tile_usage_policy for a kind-of checklist; from what you write the first part seems covered, but do look at the section Technical Usage Requirements and onwards.
Comment from kerosin on 2 March 2011 at 16:34
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Bada if you managed tile servers;)
Comment from Richard on 3 March 2011 at 11:06
It's difficult to predict.
If only two people download your Bada app, that's fine.
If 5000 people download it, we have a problem and your app will be blocked.
Make sure you follow the Tile Usage Policy, as alv says. Do not let your app even approach the situation where it may be blocked: that causes hassle for OSM and hassle for you. As soon as the app becomes popular, be ready to switch to another tile provider. You may want to talk to companies such as Geofabrik. Make sure you can remotely change the tile server URL on your customers' downloaded apps, so that you are ready for this.
In general you should not use OSM tileservers for any paid-for app. Serving tiles costs money, and OSM's servers and bandwidth are paid for by donations and sponsorship.
Comment from Palmira on 3 March 2011 at 14:09
thx Richard.
I see the problems for OSM and the Tile Server.
I am not a company, just an interested private person. Actually, i just wrote the app for me, and now think, maybe also others are interested.
On the other hand... What is the aim of OSM, if people are urged to NOT use it?
I sure will not get a paid Tile Server or anything like this, cause I myself get no money at all out of this...
Anyway, at now an interesting discussion. I will wait for making the app public until I get some "clear ok" or "no" for that...
Comment from Vclaw on 3 March 2011 at 18:30
Maybe you could use the OSM tiles from Mapquest: http://developer.mapquest.com/web/products/open/map
See the terms of use section - you can use the tiles for free, and they don't seem to have any restrictions on heavy use.
Though they are a different style of map to the standard osm.org tiles, which you may not prefer.
Comment from chillly on 3 March 2011 at 20:16
@Palmira:
It's not that people are urged to NOT use OSM, just the opposite, we want everyone to use the DATA. The tile servers are primarily there to support the people who edit the map data. They are not built to withstand use from a very popular app. If you want to use the data to create your own tiles, or pay someone else to host the tiles that is wonderful. If you use the OSM tile servers too much your app will be blocked, your users will be unhappy and you will have a load of work to quickly point your app elsewhere.
Comment from wieland on 3 March 2011 at 22:11
@Richard:
He is talking about a Bada app. If 100000 user download the app, at max 1000 people use it at the same time. These may cause less traffic than 10 users using a PC with ADSL. I doubt you will notice it.
As long we don't talk about bulk downloads and not a game with the map in the background and the app implemented caching and not an online navigation system.