Baidu Maps Makes Me Smile

Nästa steg hade varit att se kartan i lego! En Lego-earth.

LOL, no satellite view, as it would reveal China’s 1920s style map obfuscation. If you look on Google maps of China you’ll notice that the maps are all wrong, the satellite view does not line up with the “maps” of the roads. Apparently China has all their maps offset by various amounts from the actual physical location of things for “Security Reasons”. Doubtless the Russians, the US and even North Korea has accurate maps of China with this stupid offset removed, so it’s like standard DRM which just screws over average consumers like us.

It’s funny that it even Chinese companies are saddled by this, the satellite photos just don’t line up. Of course Chinese GPS systems are programed to overcome the offset, as are Cruise missiles, airplane GPSs and anything else that matters. The only person it screws up is Baidu (No satellite view since it wouldn’t line up) and foreigners in China trying to use their phone GPS. STUPID!!!

Way past time they just issue accurate maps, or maybe the CIA or North Korea can release offset corrected maps to the general public. There’s a Android App that intercepts your phone’s GPS coordinates and produces the correct offset for China’s hairbrained scheme… so there’s obviously some predictable equation to the offset. Stretching the road maps as required would be a simple task, China just needs to change the law so Baudu and Google can go ahead and do it.

(Yes I am a bit annoyed because I bought Garmin China maps only to discover you need a “China adjusted” GPS for things to line up)

Yeah it is a very creative feature, I played around with it for awhile. My only complaint is that I can’t see enough street names, and Pudong (the district in Shanghai where my GF is from) doesn’t show up – yet. But it’s very pleasing to the eye and I think has a lot of potential! Also by the way she asked her dad and even the iPhone 4 on China Mobile has that the problem

Agree. But it’s a wonderful way to market a new product. People keep buzzing it all over

Interesting info Johan, thanks. I am planning a trip around the country with my wife and our two China-adopted kids. So far we always found our way around with paper maps etc. This time I thought I’ll work with my European smartphone with a Chinese simcard and use internet to wander around in cities such as Beijing, Xian, Yangshuo and Shanghai. If I understand correctly, it won’t be easy/possible to use gps and Google maps? And Baidu neither because it’s still in the developing stage? Better bring the old paper maps? What are your suggestions Johan? Thanks in advance, Bram (Holland)