The new version of the Swisstopo app has been available for iPhone and Android users for a few days. The Federal Office of Topography, publisher of the free Swiss map app, has put a lot into the update. Here’s everything you need to know about the new features.
What are the most important innovations?
The Swisstopo app now offers an interactive map, the so-called “Base Map”, which is optimized for mobile use and displays useful information in real time.
The real-time information is displayed directly on the map via interactive map elements such as Points of Interest (PoIs) shown and are mainly intended as an aid for outdoor areas.
The current public transport departures are shown, but walkers and people with an electric car also receive additional information:
- Additional information about individual POIs (e.g. contact details, opening hours, current information, links).
- Public transport departure (when you tap the corresponding stop).
- Display of holding edges and platforms (when you tap the corresponding stop).
- Nearest stops on individual POIs.
- Sunrise and sunset times! ☀️
- current weather on selected POIs (e.g. Alpine peaks, mountain huts, road passes, towns).
- Current warnings about the dangers of forest fires and existing measures for fireplaces.
- Display of SharedMobility offersincluding current availability.
- Display of charging stationsincluding current availability.
- Download for offline use.
Who provides the real-time information?
According to Swisstopo, real-time information is displayed from the following partner organizations:
- Swiss Alpine Club SAC: Information about mountain huts, shelters.
- Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs FDFA: Representatives abroad.
- SBB: platforms.
- OpenTransportData: Public transport stops, charging points for electric cars, shared mobility offers.
- Viadi/OpenTransportData: Real-time information about public transport.
- MeteoSwiss: Real-time weather information.
- Federal Office for the Environment FOEN: Real-time information about the risk of forest fires, measures.
- OpenStreetMap: View points, drinking water fountains, recycling points, fire pits, marinas, public toilets, tourist information.
High quality map, smaller amount of data
The “Base Map” has been specially optimized for displaying map sections on smartphone screens, the proud developers write: Swisstopo has “renewed the typical Swiss map design and made it clearer to make it more readable.”
In addition, the “Base Map” view can be continuously zoomed (i.e. enlarged and reduced) and requires significantly less storage space than previous versions. This means that the Swisstopo app can also be used offline in remote areas with the best map quality.
New sky map
In addition to the “Basic Map”, a new sky map has also been integrated into the app. Current aerial photographs are combined with superimposed cartographic elements. This increases orientation and readability.
And how does the new maps app work?
Field testing with the iPhone app generally went smoothly. However, the app occasionally crashed during navigation and especially when calling up the panorama function, and the relevant content was sometimes loaded very slowly (from the server).
The app, funded by Swiss taxpayers, is ad-free and requires no registration. The data protection declaration guarantees that no personal data will be passed on to third parties or used for other purposes.
Important to know: The interactive map elements and functionalities of the app are limited to the perimeter of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. However, the map view shows the surrounding countries.
What’s next?
Those responsible at Swisstopo say that they want to gain initial experience with the new version. “Users’ needs are then further clarified using a survey and the ‘Base Map’ is further developed based on the feedback.”
The main focus is on expanding the range of points of interest, further integrating real-time information and its visualization.
Who technically implemented the new app?
The Swiss software company Ubique, which, among other things, co-developed the SBB mobile app.
The company writes:
In 2019, Ubique Innovation AG secured the contract for the Swisstopo app against three competitors for more than 3.6 million francs, as “Inside-IT” reported. The app, which was developed from scratch, was officially launched in 2020. In 2021, Swisstopo was crowned best app of the year and also received other international awards.
Where is the Swisstopo app?
- The iPhone and iPad version in the Apple App Store.
- The Android version in the Google Play Store.
And now you!
What do you think of the new Swisstopo app? What is your favorite map app in Switzerland?
Write to us via the comment function.
Sources
- vbs.admin.ch: Easy on the road – new interactive map in the swisstopo app (press release, February 8)
- swisstopo.admin.ch: Basic map: interact with the map
Source: Watson
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
