what3words: Navigation & Maps is a unique and innovative app that simplifies navigation and location sharing by assigning each three-meter square in the world a unique three-word combination. The app can come in handy when finding a specific location or navigating to a destination without street addresses or zip codes. By separating the world into 57 trillion squares, the app eliminates the need for lengthy and complicated directions or descriptions. But does this app offer more than just convenience? Let's dig in and find out.
Features
Unique 3-Word Combos
what3words is built on a simple concept of dividing the earth into 57 trillion unique 3-meter squares, and each square has a unique three-word combination. With the app, location sharing is as simple as providing three words to communicate your exact location. This feature is especially useful if you're lost, camping, or in an area with street addresses or zip codes.
High-Quality Location Information
what3words uses a highly accurate geocoding system that allows users to search any location by name, address, or coordinates. The app provides detailed information about the location, including the three-word combination associated with it, the nearest landmarks, and other recommended places nearby.
Offline Navigation
Unlike most navigation apps, what3words allows you to download maps and use them offline, enabling you to navigate even in remote and disconnected areas. This feature also comes in handy in areas with weak network coverage or when traveling to other countries to save data roaming costs.
Integrations
What3Words is integrated with various apps, including five global car manufacturing partners, navigation and mapping companies like Navmii and Citymapper, and delivery companies such as Hermes.
Pros
Simplified Navigation
what3words navigates using a highly accurate geocoding system that assigns every 3-meter square in the world three unique words, enabling users to navigate anywhere with ease regardless of the type of location. This feature simplifies navigation and location sharing without relying on complex directions or descriptions.
Offline Mode
Most navigation apps require an internet connection to work, but what3words allows you to download maps and use them offline, making it ideal for outdoor activities or traveling to remote locations with poor network coverage.
Built-In Translator
what3words supports over 40 languages and features a built-in translator, making it easy for travelers to communicate their locations in foreign countries.
Integration with Other Platforms
what3words is integrated with various platforms, making it easier to use the app with other services, like navigation, travel, and delivery.
Cons
Limited Address Lookup
The app has a limited address lookup feature, making it difficult to find specific city addresses or narrow down to street level. Moreover, it only provides three-word combination for a location, which may be confusing at times as opposed to street names and house numbers.
Requires Learning New Unique Words
Adapting to what3words requires learning new unique word combinations, and some users may find it confusing, especially when communicating with non-users. It also requires a willingness to switch from traditional navigation based on street addresses and zip codes.
Sometimes Inaccurate
The app's accuracy may be affected when traveling at high speeds, making it difficult to provide precise navigation in time-sensitive situations like emergency rescue operations or ambulance services.
Comparison to Similar Apps
what3words is a unique app and does stand out from its competitors. The app's 3-meter square system is unique and highly precise, unlike other navigation apps which rely on traditional street addresses and zip codes. However, other apps like Google Maps offer more information and features, such as live traffic updates, detailed photos of a particular location, street map, accurate turn-by-turn directions, and the ability to download specific maps for offline use, which are not available on what3words.
Tips for Using the App
Here are some tips to maximize your experience with the what3words app.
Take time to familiarize yourself with the unique word combinations
To effectively communicate your location or find a particular place using this app, you need to learn the unique three-word combination associated with that location. Learning these words will save you a lot of time while navigating, especially in remote areas.
Use Translation Services where needed
what3words supports over 40 languages; therefore, if you are in a foreign country, you can translate your unique word combination into a language the locals understand to help you communicate your location better.
Download maps for offline use
Although the app works online, downloading maps beforehand before going off the grid will ensure uninterrupted tracking and navigation during an outdoor adventure, especially when there is weak network coverage.
Advance orientation
Unlike Google Maps or Waze, what3words views the world from atop, and users should note and adjust to the orientation beforehand.
Conclusion
what3words is an innovative, precise, and unique mapping and navigation app that offers users a fresh way to communicate their location. The app's unique 3-meter square methodology simplifies location sharing and navigation, making it ideal for outdoor activities or road trips. Although the app may not have all the features found in its competitors, its offline navigation capabilities, built-in translator, and integration with other platforms make it a must-have app for travelers looking to explore new horizons. Overall, we recommend this app to anyone looking for a user-friendly mapping and navigation tool/environmentalists interested in leaving precise earth coordinates.
Updated 05-17-2023
Overview
what3words: Navigation & Maps is a unique and innovative app that simplifies navigation and location sharing by assigning each three-meter square in the world a unique three-word combination. The app can come in handy when finding a specific location or navigating to a destination without street addresses or zip codes. By separating the world into 57 trillion squares, the app eliminates the need for lengthy and complicated directions or descriptions. But does this app offer more than just convenience? Let's dig in and find out.
Features
Unique 3-Word Combos
what3words is built on a simple concept of dividing the earth into 57 trillion unique 3-meter squares, and each square has a unique three-word combination. With the app, location sharing is as simple as providing three words to communicate your exact location. This feature is especially useful if you're lost, camping, or in an area with street addresses or zip codes.
High-Quality Location Information
what3words uses a highly accurate geocoding system that allows users to search any location by name, address, or coordinates. The app provides detailed information about the location, including the three-word combination associated with it, the nearest landmarks, and other recommended places nearby.
Offline Navigation
Unlike most navigation apps, what3words allows you to download maps and use them offline, enabling you to navigate even in remote and disconnected areas. This feature also comes in handy in areas with weak network coverage or when traveling to other countries to save data roaming costs.
Integrations
What3Words is integrated with various apps, including five global car manufacturing partners, navigation and mapping companies like Navmii and Citymapper, and delivery companies such as Hermes.
Pros
Simplified Navigation
what3words navigates using a highly accurate geocoding system that assigns every 3-meter square in the world three unique words, enabling users to navigate anywhere with ease regardless of the type of location. This feature simplifies navigation and location sharing without relying on complex directions or descriptions.
Offline Mode
Most navigation apps require an internet connection to work, but what3words allows you to download maps and use them offline, making it ideal for outdoor activities or traveling to remote locations with poor network coverage.
Built-In Translator
what3words supports over 40 languages and features a built-in translator, making it easy for travelers to communicate their locations in foreign countries.
Integration with Other Platforms
what3words is integrated with various platforms, making it easier to use the app with other services, like navigation, travel, and delivery.
Cons
Limited Address Lookup
The app has a limited address lookup feature, making it difficult to find specific city addresses or narrow down to street level. Moreover, it only provides three-word combination for a location, which may be confusing at times as opposed to street names and house numbers.
Requires Learning New Unique Words
Adapting to what3words requires learning new unique word combinations, and some users may find it confusing, especially when communicating with non-users. It also requires a willingness to switch from traditional navigation based on street addresses and zip codes.
Sometimes Inaccurate
The app's accuracy may be affected when traveling at high speeds, making it difficult to provide precise navigation in time-sensitive situations like emergency rescue operations or ambulance services.
Comparison to Similar Apps
what3words is a unique app and does stand out from its competitors. The app's 3-meter square system is unique and highly precise, unlike other navigation apps which rely on traditional street addresses and zip codes. However, other apps like Google Maps offer more information and features, such as live traffic updates, detailed photos of a particular location, street map, accurate turn-by-turn directions, and the ability to download specific maps for offline use, which are not available on what3words.
Tips for Using the App
Here are some tips to maximize your experience with the what3words app.
Take time to familiarize yourself with the unique word combinations
To effectively communicate your location or find a particular place using this app, you need to learn the unique three-word combination associated with that location. Learning these words will save you a lot of time while navigating, especially in remote areas.
Use Translation Services where needed
what3words supports over 40 languages; therefore, if you are in a foreign country, you can translate your unique word combination into a language the locals understand to help you communicate your location better.
Download maps for offline use
Although the app works online, downloading maps beforehand before going off the grid will ensure uninterrupted tracking and navigation during an outdoor adventure, especially when there is weak network coverage.
Advance orientation
Unlike Google Maps or Waze, what3words views the world from atop, and users should note and adjust to the orientation beforehand.
Conclusion
what3words is an innovative, precise, and unique mapping and navigation app that offers users a fresh way to communicate their location. The app's unique 3-meter square methodology simplifies location sharing and navigation, making it ideal for outdoor activities or road trips. Although the app may not have all the features found in its competitors, its offline navigation capabilities, built-in translator, and integration with other platforms make it a must-have app for travelers looking to explore new horizons. Overall, we recommend this app to anyone looking for a user-friendly mapping and navigation tool/environmentalists interested in leaving precise earth coordinates.