Map app “Where?” is used by over 100,000 Norwegians who do not like getting lost in forests and mountains. They may have gone astray when it was recently announced that the Swedish Mapping Authority was to cut the app from the new year. But now there is hope on the horizon for those who tend to get lost. This is not an example of someone who tends to disappear, but the leader of DNT, Dag Terje Klarp Solvang. With a paper map around the neck. Photo: André Marton Pedersen / Andre Marton Pedersen Map without coverage Today it was agreed that DNT, the Norwegian Tourist Association, will take over the map solution from “Hvor?” app. – Now I have received a gift package, and I am very happy about that, says DNT CEO Dag Terje Solvang. He said that the “UT” map app for DNT will now be significantly better. – Well, I myself was very much a paper map guy, says Solvang. – But I have become very digital after spending six years in DNT. Which map app do you prefer? OUT Where? Norgeskart Navida Ski track Others Only paper maps! Show result The “UT” app has grown strongly in recent years. This year there have been 650,000 users of the app, and the UT.no website has had over 5 million users. Solvang says that there is now one function in particular that must be lifted. – Disconnect maps! “Where?” have had a very good solution to download maps that you can use where there is no coverage. DNT is working to find out how long it will now be possible to save the map. – We are betting that they will last at least one season, says Solvang. Knut Karper Bjørgaas of the Mapping Authority (left) is satisfied with having given away a lot of map gold to DNT chief Dag Terje Klarp Solvang. Photo: Oda Ruud Framstad Mobile or paper The DNT manager is on his way to avalanche eve when I interview him about the map warp. He says that the map will now also be better, in what he refers to as Norway’s biggest trip planner. – When moose hunting, I use very good orienteering maps on paper. They show cliffs and cliffs, which are difficult to see on mobile maps. How much better can the mobile map be? – I always have a paper map with me in addition to my phone. Both to get a bigger picture, and in case I run out of power. But the map will be better on the phone, I promise, says DNT-Solvang. The UT app today. Where are the cliffs and slopes? Graphics: Screenshot Giving away the gold for free At the beginning of November, news found out that the Swedish Map Agency was going to discontinue its app. The reason was, among other things, economic priorities, and that the Mapping Authority should prioritize maps for such things as defence, preparedness, climate and planning and construction. – It costs money to make a map, and bear in mind that the Norwegian mainland area is larger than Germany. And the Norwegian sea area is five or six times that again. So it is enough to map, said Kartverket director Knut Bjørgaas. It can be more complicated with paper maps, but they rarely run out of power. Photo: Privat Nevertheless, the Swedish National Register of Land Registry now gives away its mapping solution free of charge to DNT. – What do you think people think about our tax-financed map work giving away such a gold mine-like matter for free? – If the tax money can contribute to the people getting the best possible tour app, then it must be a good investment. We are very happy that what we have developed can still be of use and joy to hikers, says Bjørgaas in the Swedish Mapping Authority. Published 22.11.2024, at 12.21
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The Map Agency’s Where? app is taken over by DNT Den Norske Turistforening – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
