Wikipedia

Draft:Magic Earth

Magic Earth
Developer(s)Magic Lane Ltd.
Initial releaseSep 2015; 10 years ago (Sep 2015) [1]
Operating systemAndroid, iOS
Websitewww.magicearth.com

Magic Earth is a common proprietary navigation application, first developed by Route 66 in 1999[2] for PC and mobile devices (PocketPC)[3] and released for iOS and Android devices in 2015 [1]. It is now developed by the Dutch company Magic Lane. In 2016, Route 66 Navigate was discontinued and replaced by the pro version of Magic Earth.[4] Notably, since 2018 it has been included as the default navigation application for the /e/ Operating System, a privacy-focused alternative to Android for smartphones.[5]

Overview

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Magic Earth is built on OpenStreetMap (OSM) data with a focus on privacy and around 2,000 data sources to calculate routes for pedestrians, cars and bicycles.[6] It also provides turn-by-turn navigation for driving, biking, walking, and public transportation.[7]

The application also works offline, with offline OSM data for 233 countries and regions. It can display 2D, 3D and satellite maps as well as ___location data for parking and details like route surface, difficulty and elevation.[7]

Navigation includes speed camera alerts, live traffic updates, and speed warnings in supported regions. The app also includes a speedometer that remains on even when not navigating.[8]

Magic Earth works on Android and iOS devices and supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay [9] and Apple Watch [7] integration.

Magic Earth does not collect personal data.[9] Revenue is generated through a subscription fee of 0.99€/year and developer SDK sales.[10]

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. [5]

Magic Lane’s datacenters are located in Europe. [6]

Developer

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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.[11] The SDK is for iOS, Android, Javascript, QT, Linux, Flutter and C++. [6]

Magic Lane funds Magic Earth with several sources including revenue made from these SDKs, the yearly 0.99€ subscription [10]

History

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The idea for the current application originates from a merging of two platforms - Magic Lane’s earlier navigation endeavors, including the Route 66 Route Planner as well as the Magic Earth platform, which focused on gas and oil well drilling technology virtuallization[2]. The application was initially designed as a showcase for a navigation platform and later evolved into an OpenStreetMaps privacy-focused app under the development of Magic Lane.[12]

Magic Earth and Oil and Gas Drilling Technology Virtualization

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In 1999, the entire development team behind Magic Earth was moved to Brasov, Romania,[13] where the precursor to Magic Earth platform was developed.

In 2001, Halliburton paid $100 million for the acquisition of Magic Earth, by then headquartered in Houston, Texas.[14] At the time Magic Earth specialized in oil and gas well exploration technology, volume visualization and interpretation solutions including software for GeoProbe, a drilling rig company,[15] interpretation services and large screen immersive visualization centers for the gas and oil industry.[16]

Route 66 Navigate: Precursor to the navigation application

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Route 66 was founded in 1992 and has been rebranded as General Magic and then renamed in 2022 to Magic Lane Limited. 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[17]). Route 66 Navigate 6 was launched in 2013. [18][19]

The continuation of Route 66 Navigate 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].

In 2016, Route 66 Navigate was discontinued and replaced by the pro version of Magic Earth.[4]

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.[20]

Magic Lane claims to trace their roots back to the first navigation platform in 1992.[21]

In 2024 Magic Lane recieved a €3 million investment from Dutch Venture Capitalist investor No Such Ventures. [22]

With the rise of the BuyEuropean movement, Magic Earth has had rapid growth (as of April 2025, user count has tripled in 6 weeks)[23] and gained notability in Europe as an alternative to US navigation providers such as Apple Maps and Google.[24] [8] [25]

The application has also raised interest in privacy-focused forums due to its promise to not track personal data.[26] The privacy-focused open-source /e/ Operating System uses Magic Earth as the default navigation application. [5], with the explanation that Magic Lane provided the /e/OS developers sufficient documentation about privacy behavior to include the application in the OS. [5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Drews, Benjamin Benni (9 September 2015). "Magic Earth: Neue Navi-App der ROUTE 66 Entwickler" [Magic Earth: New navigation app from the ROUTE 66 developers]. pocketnavigation.de (in German). Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Halliburton Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Magic Earth". Halliburton. 30 April 2001. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  3. ^ Benjamin Benni, Drews (21 July 2005). "Route66 N. Europa 2004" [Route66 N. Europe 2004]. pocketnavigation.de (in German). Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b Benjamin Benni, Drews (3 August 2016). "Magic Earth: Pro-Version ersetzt Route 66 Navigate" [Magic Earth: Pro version replaces Route 66 Navigate]. pocketnavigation.de (in German). Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d "About MagicEarth". /e/OS Documentation. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "Magic Lane launches navigation platform with more privacy than Google Maps". Techzine. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Popa, Bogdan (9 July 2024). "Good News for CarPlay Users: Google Maps Rival Announces New Major Update". AutoEvolution. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b Gigler, Nicole (19 August 2025). "Google Maps-Konkurrent integriert neue Tachometer-Funktion – und begeistert Nutzer" [Google Maps competitor integrates new speedometer function – and delights users]. CHIP.de (in German). Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  9. ^ a b Popa, Bogdan (26 March 2024). "This Google Maps Alternative Just Got Another Update With Good News for CarPlay". AutoEvolution. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Magic Earth Pricing". Magic Earth. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Magic Lane Raises €3M in Funding". Finsmes. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  12. ^ "About Magic Earth". Magic Earth. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Route 66 face harti digitale la Brasov" [Route 66 makes digital maps in Brasov]. Wall-Street (in Romanian). 4 October 2005. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  14. ^ Antosh, Nelson (13 April 2001). "Halliburton to pay $100 million for Magic Earth". Chron. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  15. ^ "About Us". GeoProbe. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  16. ^ "Magic Earth Opens Doors with Visualization Center". HPCwire. 20 October 2000. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  17. ^ "About Us". Route 66 Navigation. Touch Media. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  18. ^ Griffin, Darren (20 November 2013). "ROUTE 66 launches their latest navigation app". PocketGPSWorld. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  19. ^ "Introducing ROUTE 66 Navigate 6, the most exciting navigator for your Android or iPhone". Hexus. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Amsterdam's Magic Lane enters European market with Maps, Location & Navigation platform launch". siliconcanals. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Our Story". Magic Lane. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Dutch startup Magic Lane secured €3M for light, privacy-friendly maps". TechFundingNews. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  23. ^ Jonkers, Jens (10 April 2025). "Dutch Google Maps Alternative Magic Earth Puts Itself on the Map". ITdaily. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  24. ^ Mastroianni, Antonio (1 May 2025). "Bye bye USA: Diese Apps aus Europa holen auf – und sind teils besser" [Bye bye USA: These apps from Europe are catching up – and some are better]. CHIP.de (in German). Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Magic Earth". GoEuropean. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Magic Earth". Privacy Guides. 13 March 2025.
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