SparkMap for iOS - Out now!

[Zygote]

Hey all!

When I got my Tesla Model S a year ago I was a bit disappointed with the lacklustre find-a-charging-station apps for iOS so I decided to make my own. I decided to use OpenChargeMap's API as it imports data from numerous other API's for countries around the world. However, being Norwegian myself I havent really gathered much feedback from users in other countries. So while the app works great here in Norway it might not perform as well elsewhere (though it should). Perhaps you have a really good app designed for the US already, but if not, then maybe SparkMap could be useful. I'd love feedback from US users. I'm continuously improving the app and input from users are invaluable. For instance, the app has the option to filter out certain charging connectors but I really have no idea what charging connector types are most common in the US. If anyone here could give me some tips on what connector types are most relevant, that would be great!

So should you be longing for such an app to let you find charging stations it would be fantastic if you gave SparkMap a go. The app is open source but I do charge a small fee (the cheapest pricing tier Apple allows) in order to hopefully one day cover the Apple Developer fee I have to pay to offer the app.

You can find SparkMap on the App Store. If you do choose to give it a whirl, please let me know what you think, good or bad!

Cheers!

 

[pdxgibby]

Where are you getting your data and what are the advantages over an app like plugshare, for example?

 

[Zygote]

Where are you getting your data and what are the advantages over an app like plugshare, for example?

I'm getting my data from OpenChargeMap.

So compared to PlugShare, which is certainly a mature and great app, there are a number of differences.

- OpenChargeMap has significantly better coverage in certain areas, at least here in Norway. In my immediate vicinity I see 3 charging stations in PlugShare, while with SparkMap I see 5. Milage will obviously vary but OpenChargeMap, which is open source, has a good number of parsers that pulls data from various sources. Since anyone can contribute I helped enhance their parsers for the major Norwegian provider, which is kinda cool.
- SparkMap is 100% open source.
- All network traffic is SSL encrypted and no personal information is shared with anyone, anywhere, except your position (in order to get charging stations near you), should you choose to allow it.

That said, PlugShare is a great app and certainly has a number of features not currently found in SparkMap. However, I believe competition is always good and I'm a huge fan of OSS so hence why SparkMap exists

 

[Zygote]

Also, using OpenChargeMap means that the data is enriched by all the numerous OCM based services out there which has huge potential in my opinion. Since anyone can use it, we can do so some really cool stuff with it. It's obviously depending on people to contribute though.

 

[Zygote]

Version 1.2.0 is out now with a bunch of new features and bug fixes. Please enjoy!

 

[theaxe]

Looks good! I don't have the car yet but I'll happily play with the app..