I'm looking for an app which has the most reliable and up to date speed limit information for Switzerland and slightly around.
So far Sygic, HERE WeGo, and TomTO Go have disappointed me to different degrees. It's understandable to not know about new construction work, but they usually miss permanent speed limit signs here and there.
Obviously, I want a Swiss-legal app, one that doesn't show things that it shouldn't in Switzerland. Can I be confident that if Google Play allows me to download an app with a Swiss IP then that app is OK in Switzerland? (for example, you cannot download Google Pay from within Switzerland)
I've never been too worried about the legality of camera apps, so can't really help with recommendations of what you want, but I can say that even (at least some of) those that definitely go beyond the legal limit can be downloaded via a Swiss IP.
I have come across region-specific apps before, some of which can be installed through other stores like Aptoide, so if you're struggling then you might try that route instead. Failing all else it's usually possible to find the .apk file for an app, although there are very many fakes and scams, so take care.
Edit: I realise now that you're asking the opposite, so no, you absolutely cannot assume that the ability to install from the Google Play Store via a Swiss IP means that an app is legal to use here.
Ow that's worrying! So there is nothing beneficial coming out of those geo-restrictions?
Now, is there an "officially approved" list of navigation apps?
I have seen in Waze and Sygic forums that they obey Swiss rules by keeping their databases empty of illegal information and not accepting any such signals from users. Is that of any value to the authorities?
TomTom's app was quite disappointing in detecting the lane in which I was. Moreover, the terminology of the voice assistant was confusing. "Exit ahead!": so what?
Not sure what sort of 'value' the thinking of, but anyway, those apps do indeed allow cameras to be reported and warned of, albeit in the guise of traffic/safety information. "Police ahead" with no accurate location, at least the last time I tried them. Pretty useless. Not sure why anyone would bother, TBH. You're either wanting to be warned of cameras or not, and the are easy ways to achieve it if you do.
As for your detailed requirements, I'm a little puzzled, TBH. Keeping track of the current speed limit is useful, I agree, but surely you'd only ever want to use it as a backup to your eyes, so the very occasionally inaccuracy you report shouldn't be a big problem. If you're trying to use an on-screen display instead of looking out for the signs I think you're barking up the wrong tree entirely.
My car (and loads of others too I expect) has a camera on the front and can read the speed signs by the side of the road and show the speed limit on the HUD.
LOL, had me puzzled too. The Navi doesn't know the ever changing speed limits within roadwork? Of course it doesn't (although TomTom used to have a system, corrections could be reported to, don't know if they still have it).
The main thing should still be to look out the windscreen? Id' highly appreciate OP to consider that option.
But hasn't it ever happened to you, that you found yourself driving in the middle of nowhere without any signs whatsoever, but with some houses and farms here and there, and wondering you should consider that a built-up area or not?
Add to that some angry driver approaching fast from behind!
Before k_and_e answers, it is not a huge deal from a technical point of view. Swiss speed signs are quite similar, hence a nice scenario for a computer vision system.
That would be ridiculous. I don't want an app that behaves depending on your country of residence but based on your location. Simple example: When I drive from Germany through France to Switzerland do I want it to show me speed cameras in Germany (as it is legal there), zones with high accident risks in France (they don't show real time cameras, but the areas in which cameras are often placed) and zero in CH.
Unlike you do I love my TomTom, but I don't use the mobile app - I have a stand alone device. Has saved me hours of traffic jam through its pretty good real time routing based on the traffic situation.
GPS location is not to be consider accurate enough to detect which lane you are in. Often it's not accurate enough to detect which road you are on. It could in principle be accurate but movement and loss of signal means you can't do lane location reliably
As with regards to speed information, what do you actually expect? Speed on roads and motorways change all the time. There are dynamic speed limits, there are motorways with dynamic lanes, etc. You can't rely on your GPS to tell you how to drive, whatever some manufacturer says
It's not totally reliable - if a lorry is on your inside as you pass a road sign, it may miss it I guess.
It works in conjunction with the on-board GPS with some sort of fuzzy logic and sometimes has to make a choice if it receives conflicting information from the GPS.
I suppose it's most useful if you are driving along those smaller roads through several villages where the speed limit keeps changing every 500m or kilometre and you miss a sign.
But, much more accurate than a GPS that isn't up-to-date.
There are never no signs. There is always a last sign you passed which is still valid until you pass the next one.
<< in the middle of nowhere without any signs whatsoever, but with some houses and farms here and there, and wondering you should consider that a built-up area or not?>> Nope. You described it pretty well.
How did we possibly survive the days before navis. Simply amazing.
They still have it, its called Map Share. But it takes ages to get reports posted, at least mine has been pending for a month now. A street in my town went from 60kph to 50kph, I reported it and nothing has happened. Maybe because I did not upload any pics or links to official website, so they're waiting for a report from another guy or two.
Any Navi app or device is only as good as its map data. So first order of business is to make sure that the app/device you have is up to date. Next, find a way to report any wrong info. These companies usually have reporting facilities to correct map errors.