And in both cases, the product is "you". The mapping software is only an enticement for you to give up info about yourself.
Chris
Route problems in Google Maps
- Thread starter Jim C-G
- Start date
Chris
TPadden
Tom Padden
I'll go put my tin foil hat on now.
TPadden
Tom Padden
Another area where Google excels, my phone will quickly find anything I ask it; all my GPS 's are verbally challenged.I just wish Garmin would fix their voice recognition software.
Yeah I know, my phone is also listening to all my secrets and plans.
Tom
That is a much clearer and more direct statement of what I was getting at.
As with prominently branded merchandise (think Old Navy, Under Armor, Adidas, Nike...) the seller has found a way to make money or advantage on both ends of the deal.
In the apparel case, you pay the seller for the privilege of doing their advertising. In Google"s case they get website and app developers to pay them, for bringing them information they can analyze and resell to advertisers.
I wish I were half as nefarious and devious.
Don't even get me started on Alexa.
ibike2havefun said:
I've had Google Maps on my phone since day one but have never used it. Is it now a paid app?ibike2havefun said:
And it's not like Google is going to stop mining your information nor that from Google Maps usage. I'm seeing a future where there are few 'free' apps and eventually fewer 'paid' apps. Most will be subscription based.
edit: Doesn't look like it's a paid app but as it's already on my phone no price shows. No IAPs either.
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TPadden
Tom Padden
Hate to say it but "you" is worthless to me as a product. I'm comfortable with the fact that I can be bought and if I get something for a relatively worthless product I'm happy.
Old Navy, Under Armor, Adidas, and Nike are making nothing from me so if they are willing to pay Google to find that out, not a problem.
You guys DO realize that is how this site is primarily financed don't you?
Tom
I think the smart thing way to approach anything like this is to remember what they told us in Economics 101..."There's no such thing as a free lunch."
I use Google Maps, but I don't log in to create an account to track. I use Opera that includes a free VPN so my IP address is someplace else in the world. And all my browsers clear their data when I exit. They still get something to sell I'm sure, but I'm not making it easy.
As for how this site and most are financed...I use ad blocking on many. This site isn't bad with only 6 ads being blocked right now. The Accuweather website is loading 74 ads.
Chris
TPadden
Tom Padden
We all live in a world of our own reality, plenty of free lunches in mine. As soon as someone mentions "Economics 101" in the same sentence with free lunch though, I won't buy them a drink ever again.
Tom
I'll buy you one at the Bun Cooler then. Just remember that it isn't a "free lunch". Only a "free" drink.
And actually, I get something out of you in the deal. A wonderful time riding. A wonderful time sitting around telling stories about things that I've dreamed about, but make it sound like I've actually done. And the more I ply you with that free drink...the more you might actually be sucker enough to believe me.
And actually, I get something out of you in the deal. A wonderful time riding. A wonderful time sitting around telling stories about things that I've dreamed about, but make it sound like I've actually done.
And the more I ply you with that free drink...the more you might actually be sucker enough to believe me. 
Styles
2000 Non-ABS
I faced such problems two winters ago mapping a summer Alpine ride. Google didn't take me through seasonally-closed passes. MyRoute-app, then offering a cheap lifetime deal, happily came to my rescue. Their "ignore seasonal closures" switch worked. Planning even today within MRA's 14-day trial could be cheaper. You can easily download any .gpx files and keep needed .jpg screen shots. Together with maps, both could be quite useful.
Styles
Styles
It's no secret that as I alluded previously that Google mines data whenever possible. My question was is it a PAID app.Daboo said:
To be clear I'm not talking about trading data tracking for use but whether or not you know have to pay money to use Google Maps as I inferred from ibike2havefun's post. I know Google shed the mantle of 'Don't be evil' almost as soon as they put it on.
drrod
Site Supporter
From what I understand, the end user is does not have to pay to use Google maps. The API charge is levied on owners of "apps" that utilize Google maps.
Several years ago, there was a wonderful mapping tool. I think it was called WunderMap. It combined the weather along with Google Maps routing. The cool thing about it, was that it would give you the weather at the time you'd be at that point in your route. Say you left at 8am from a coastal location and your route took you over a mountain pass at about 11:45am, it would give you the temperature and other weather data for that mountain pass at 11:45 am.
I think they ran into the same issue with the Google Map API. One day I went to use it, and it was gone.
Chris
I think they ran into the same issue with the Google Map API. One day I went to use it, and it was gone.
Chris
No, USING the Google Maps app is still free to the end user. What has changed is that Google now charges website and application developers who want to include the Google Maps functionality in their products. It does not matter whether it's a commercial, not-for-profit, or hobby site, all must pay.
If it stopped there I would have no issue. But since the underlying purpose of Google Maps is, as has been pointed out, to act as bait to bring more of your information to Google, so they can turn it around and convert it to a salable product, I rather object to their charging website and apps for the privilege of supplying that information.
Not sure whether it's the same thing, but the WUndergorund weather website includes a feature they call "WUnderMap". If it ever had the predictive feature you describe (weather along a user-defined travel route), it's no longer available. And their basemap is OpenStreetMap; I don't remember whether it was ever Google Maps.
The inRoute app provides weather along a custom route in graph form, with time or miles on the x-axis. It also gives you Elevation and Curviness. I usually setup my general route in it a week or so beforehand, setting my departure date/time. I check it a day or two before and then again right when I leave to get the most accurate info, updating the departure time as necessary. It will also do navigation (for a fee), but I just use it for this one purpose... weather along my route. It's only as good as any weather forecast, but gives me a good idea on what gear to wear, especially spring/fall when the temps can change dramatically... pretty much helps me decide electrics or not, summer or winter gear, rain suit on or not.
And, FWIW, Google maps is way more than just navigation. It's great to search tool to get location, info and reviews on places, plus street view to see what things actually look like. It's probably the most used app on my phone.
And, FWIW, Google maps is way more than just navigation. It's great to search tool to get location, info and reviews on places, plus street view to see what things actually look like. It's probably the most used app on my phone.
TPadden
Tom Padden
And FWIW nothing can touch Google Earth, amazing that it is also free to users, just have to put on your big boy foil hat.
Curious, outside of just looking around for general interest, what do use Earth for? What can you get from it that you can't get from Maps?And FWIW nothing can touch Google Earth, amazing that it is also free to users, just have to put on your big boy foil hat.
I've always like Google Earth, but it's really been nothing more than a toy to me. What am I missing?
TPadden
Tom Padden
Most mapping satellite view and anything that gives street view is provided by Google, as a camper who shows up mostly tired after dark in a remote area, I find it invaluable. Even with accurate waypoint prior to using Google Earth I have wandered around dirt roads and even populated paved areas riding past and around my destination. I find it particularly helpful when looking for a stealth campsite, again after dark, when I'm tired, at a gas stop,
Tom