BERLIN: If your car doesn't have a built-in navigation system, then you'll likely be using a smartphone app like Google Maps on your phone to help you navigate. This usually does the job - but what if your mapping app could also watch your driving for mistakes?

This is where Magic Earth Navigation & Maps, available free of charge for and, sets itself apart from the likes of Apple Maps and Google Maps with its suite of driver assistance features.

Those features can be activated when your smartphone is clipped into a cradle in landscape mode and the camera has a clear view of the road ahead of your car.

The app will then warn you if you accidentally leave your lane, if the distance to the car in front of you becomes dangerously short or if it spots pedestrians crossing the road ahead of you.

There's even a dash-cam function to record your driving in case of accidents, potentially giving you evidence you were not at fault if you are accused of causing a crash.

For display and route planning with real-time traffic information, the app uses map material based on the Open Street Map project. 3D and satellite views are also available.

For tricky lane changes and complicated turns, the app can also put the live feed from the smartphone camera onto the display and use arrows to show you where to go.

Thanks to offline maps in 233 countries and regions, you’re not dependent on having mobile internet connection (Google Maps also offers this option).

Turn-by-turn navigation is not only available for cars but can also be switched on for cycling, pedestrians, and public transport.

The app also supports Apple CarPlay, but not yet Android Auto. Those who use the app in CarPlay mode see the navigation map on the display of the car entertainment system.

For those who don’t like to give away their data, Magic Earth Navigation & Maps promises to be tracking-free and also not to store any personal data of its users. There are no ads in the app either.

What there is, however, is a wealth of potentially interesting places along with associated Wikipedia entries for further information.

Weather conditions can also be seen, and the app can show you the temperature at any given location and how the weather there is expected to develop in the next 14 days.

And last but not least, parking spaces, petrol stations, charging stations and restaurants along the route can be selected to be shown.

 - dpa