Magic Earth is a common proprietary navigation application for iOS and Android devices developed by the Dutch company Magic Lane (formerly General Magic). Notably, it has been included as the default navigation application for the /e/ Operating System[2], a privacy-focused alternative to Android. Magic Earth is built on OpenStreetMap (OSM) data with around 2,000 data sources to calculate routes for pedestrians, cars and bicycles.[3]
The developer of Magic Earth is Magic Lane, a company based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and provides a platform to other companies enabling navigation for their apps and platforms. Its Software Development Kit (SDK) allows companies to add mapping, location, and navigation functionality into vehicles, apps, and online platforms in several programming languages.[4] The SDK is for iOS, Android, Javascript, QT, Linux, Flutter and C++. [3]
Funding for the app comes from several sources including revenue made from these SDKs and investors, such as the €3 million investment from Dutch Venture Capitalist investor No Such Ventures in 2024. [5]
The application has also raised interest in privacy-focused forums due to its promise to not track personal data.[11] The privacy-focused open-source /e/ Operating System uses Magic Earth as the default navigation application. [2], with the explanation that Magic Lane provided the /e/OS developers sufficient documentation about privacy behavior to include the application in the OS. [2]
Overview
Magic Earth provides turn-by-turn navigation using OpenStreetMap (OSM) data, supporting driving, biking, walking, and public transportation across global regions The app renders both raster and vector maps, includes 3D and satellite views, and allows offline downloading of maps for entire countries or regions.[12][1] Magic Lane’s datacenters are located in Europe. [3]
Features
According to the OpenStreetMaps community wiki and the Google Play store, the features of Magic Earth include.[12][1]:
Navigation modes: Provides routes for car, bike, foot, and public transit. Includes lane guidance, head-up display (HUD), and multiple-waypoint routing.
Offline capability: Downloadable maps with offline routing and navigation support.
Traffic and speed: Provides speed camera alerts, live traffic updates, and speed warnings in supported regions. The app also includes a speedometer.[8]
Map layers and information: Includes satellite imagery, elevation profiles, weather data, and Wikipedia article integration.
Device integration: Supports Apple CarPlay[13] and Apple Watch [14], with availability for both iOS and Android.
Business Model and Privacy
Magic Earth does not collect personal data.[13] Revenue is generated through a subscription fee of 0.99€/year and developer SDK sales.[15][16][17]
The /e/ Operating System, which aims to be a privacy-focused alternative to Android, uses Magic Earth as the default navigation application, with the explanation that Magic Lane provided the /e/OS developers sufficient documentation about privacy behavior to include the application in the OS. [2]
The privacy statement given to /e/OS developer team by Magic Lane is as follows:
...we do not collect or share personal information.
The applied rules for sending and storing data are the following:
only transmit necessary, so minimal information from the user to the server
where possible, anonymise data already on the phone before sending
if pseudonymous info is needed (for example for debugging), only keep it on the server pseudonymously for an as short period as possible
do not create user profiles
do not share personal information
In the used eco-system, no external service API’s are used to prevent private data leakage.[2]
Concerns
The policy change in 2025 to charge a subscription for the application has caused concern among users. Reddit users on r/deGoogle have raised concerns about the new subscription model. [18]
Users of the /e/ Operating System have raised concerns about where Magic Earth gets funding since it is free and has gone through many owners, including Route 66, General Magic and investments from Haliburton.[19]
History
Magic Earth originated from General Magic’s earlier navigation endeavors, including the Route 66 Route Planner. The app was initially designed as a showcase for a navigation platform and later evolved under the stewardship of Magic Lane.[20]
Route 66 was founded in 1992 and has been rebranded as Magic Lane Ltd. The precursor to Magic Earth is Route 66 Navigate (not to be confused with the mobile application to help tourists along the historic Route 66 in the United States). Route 66 Navigate 6 was launched in 2013. [21][22]
In 1999, the entire development team behind the navigation software was moved to Brasov, Romania,[23] where the precursor to Magic Earth was developed as an app.
In 2001, Halliburton paid $100 million for the acquisition of Magic Earth, by then based in Houston, Texas.[24]
The resulting project was carried out under the name General Magic, with the navigation app Magic Earth as a testing ground for Android and iOS, made first available in 2015 on Android[1]. From General Magic the company was rebranded in 2022 as Magic Lane, The name is also a reference to the founder and CTO Johan Lanen.[25]
Magic Lane Ltd. was founded in 2022 and claims to trace their roots back to the first navigation platform in 1992.[26]
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