<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Foursquare is parting ways with Google Maps in favor of crowdsourced maps created by the OpenStreetMap project.\nFoursquare announced the change in a blog post Wednesday, explaining its decision to make the big API switch. To power the new maps, Foursquare is partnering with MapBox, a startup which calls itself \"a beautiful alternative to Google Maps\" and uses data from OpenStreetMap.\n\"As a startup, we also often think about how we can make life easier for other startups,\" the Foursquare blog explains.\nFoursquare says it chose MapBox for three reasons: its use of OpenStreetMap, which will continue to get better; it allows for design flexibility, so Foursquare can pick fonts and colors to match the rest of the app; and it's powered by the open-source Leaflet java script library. \nDuring the company's January hackathon, one engineer proposed the question \"What would the world look like if we made our own maps?\" and answered it using data from OpenStreetMap, a crowdsourced global atlas. \nFoursquare also sited Google Maps' pricing as a reason they were looking to make a switch.\nOpenStreetMap is one of the largest online group projects on the web. Google's relationship with the project has thus far been tumultuous. For instance, someone with a Google IP address was found to be vandalizing the project, inputting false information in several cities, such as directing one-way street signs in the wrong direction. \nWhat do you think Foursquare's departure from Google Maps suggests for the future of digital maps? Do you think this decision will pave the way for more new players to gain traction? Let us know in the comments.\n\r\nBONUS: Strange and Hilarious Google Street View Sightings\r\n\n\n\nFunny Google Street View \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. A Fleet at the Ready\n\nTake a minute and think about the gargantuan task of photographing every inch of road in the world. Is your mind blown? Now you may understand why Google needs so many cars.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. Google Goes Green With a Tricycle\n\nSometimes Google has to employ a tricycle for those hard-to-reach streets. Using a trike also decreases the carbon footprint created by sending a bunch of cars to just drive around. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. Google Respects Everyone's Privacy\n\nThere has been much controversy swirling around how the tech behemoth handles the data it collects on the public, but this is proof that Google wants to keep everyone's most personal information anonymous -- even if they're not really people at all.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Hold Up, Wait for Me, Google! Part 1\n\nSome people see the Google cars right away and make an effort to be noticed. This guy is certainly a strong contender to be the leader of the group. Check out the next few pics to see his comrades.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Hold Up, Wait for Me, Google! Part 2 - Snorklers\n\nSome websites feature the legacy version of this photo of two gentlemen in hot pursuit of the Google car. For a reason that defies logic, the two have been blurred almost completely. But look closely at their shadows and you can still see their intentions. Maybe Google disapproves of using accessories intended for exclusive use in the sea on land?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. Hold Up, Wait for Me, Google! Part 3 - Scooter Gang\n\nThis looks like a shot right out of an '80s movie where the lovable main character is getting chased home from school by three bullies on much more powerful, motorized scooters.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. Hold Up, Wait for Me, Google! Part 4 - Poppin' Wheelies\n\nIf anyone ever has doubt about this kid's ability to pop a sick wheelie, he need only refer to them to Google Maps, the ultimate proof.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Who's Filming Whom?\n\nLet's be honest. If you saw the Google car going through your block, you'd be curious what it is, too. You might even bust out your camcorder and film the event if you had one in your backseat. Looks like these guys did just that.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9.  The Whole Internet Caught You Ogling That Lady in Miami\n\nMaybe next time, this guy will be a little more subtle about checking out the next woman that walks by him. Or at least he'll be more aware of the car with the giant orb on the roof? Let's hope so.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. Risking It All for Just One Peek\n\nGuys in Italy apparently have much in common with guys in Florida. This man is a little bolder though. We wonder how he chose what to look at - the strange Google camera car or the attractive girl on the sidewalk? We just hope this wasn't a fateful glance like the driver in the next photo.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n11. First Responder or Cause of Accident\n\n\nYou: Officer, I was distracted by the car with Google graphics all over it and a six-foot beam with a giant camera orb attached to the top!\nOfficer: Sorry, you're still at fault. Here's your ticket.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n12. Remote Garage Gone Wrong\n\nA slew of new mobile apps allow you to open and close your garage door when you're miles away from home. Maybe this is evidence that it's better to press the button while you're there.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n13. Not-So-Subtle Hello \nEither this guy isn't too hip on the idea of the Google Street View camera or he really has to go to the bathroom.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n14.  You're Gonna Need a Higher Fence\n\nSure, that fence would easily keep out the prying eyes of the few people walking by, but will it keep out the curious eyes of everyone else using the Internet? Start investing in fence companies - they're probably going to start seeing an uptick in materials needs.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n15. Dude, Where's My Bike?\n\nWe're not sure, but we don't think there are any bikes down there. But maybe...\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n16.  Low Bridge - er, Leaf\n\nA camera on top of a long pole on top of a car is bound to run into some low-hanging objects every now and again.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n17. Into the Weird\n\nOf course, you knew these kinds of photos were coming. People do weird things and the omni-present street cam will catch you doing the weird things that you do. Like this guy, pulling his penguin friend around while riding his giant bicycle.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n18. Image Flaw\n\nSometimes the Google Street Cam melds two images together to form entirely new things! Like this photo of Alex from Madagascar turned into a strange lion cyclops.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n19. Stop Looking at Me, Seagull!\n\nApparently avian species are also curious about the globe-like camera device attached to roofs of Google cars.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n20. Hello, Me\n\nIf you look closely, you can see Google is smiling ear to ear.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/02/29/foursquare-openstreetmap/>