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osmandapp / OsmAnd

OsmAnd
https://osmand.net
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Search improvements in OSMAnd #17039

Open NohWayJose opened 1 year ago

NohWayJose commented 1 year ago

Search is very frustrating because some (many) searches return pages and pages of results. For example, try searching for London. If I'm after a hotel or hairdresser or bus stop, I have to scroll at top speed for about a minute before I get beyond the most populous categories. Firstly, I can't know what the categories are called as there are soooo many. but if I choose the categories tab, with expectation that I'll be able to see and filter from all the categories, it seems that's a highly constrained list. I can't, for instance search on a name and then refine the returned list by picking a category (or categories); I'd have to refine my search by correctly remembering & typing the name of a category. I'd expect to be able to search by name string (or substring), category, sub-category, in any order and with equal ease, preferring to use selection to refine the search criteria over lots of navigation, using my memory, return navigation and error free typing.

  1. Selecting one category from the small subset available in the categories tab shows instances nearby, ranked, it seems, by distance, which is fine.
  2. Selecting a category, as above and augmenting the search field does offer more specific results and again ranked by distance.
  3. Selecting some categories (e.g. Food) includes several other categories (pubs, cafes, restaurants, etc). If there is a hierarchy it should be explicit and complete, such as showing a tree of hierarchies (even just an indented list). Then a user can choose any category at any level, from the full list as one of their search criteria, with the expectation that child categories will apply when parent categories are selected (making explicit what is currently implicit).
  4. I see no easy way to centre the search around a different location or along a route. if for example I need to pick up drinks or flowers near my destination or go for a pee, fuel the car or grab a bite en route, then I'd like to be able to specify 'near destination' or 'along route'.
  5. How about ranking by recommendation too? (Do Trip Adviser have a free API?)
NohWayJose commented 9 months ago

How does this make it from nice to have to let's design and deliver it? I'm happy to design it if there's a commitment to deliver it.