1) Where do you think Google gets their maps? Check maps.google.com and see who the copyright belongs to.
2) Google PAYS Navteq for their maps, so even though they are free to us we pay indirectly through ad's
3) Google maps is hardly a replacement for a good in-dash or portable nav system. It does very limited GPS on some phones, no rerouting and still requires a PDA data connection and GPS or notebook. The price of this is usually higher than a standalone GPS unit.
4) Since when do Tele Atlas and Navteq make YOU pay for maps? If you buy a $200 Garmin or TomTom unit it comes with all the map you need.
o When I buy a GPS unit I get MAPS included BUT these maps are only for the Regiuon of the world I reside in. i.e. I live in NJ so I get NA maps. But I travel to Europe and Asia so I need all those maps as well. I HAVE TO PAY for them. Go to Tom Tom and other sites and see the mega prices for the downloads!
o I don't care where Google and Yahoo go for their base maps. They pay for them in some way, but increasingly they offer better maping services to the user, usually for no charge. Sure we see ads... As the internet becomes more common and faster via wireless.... I think most can see where this leads....... The point is the business of GPS is likely to morph over the next few years.....
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ian @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:07AM
Hmmmm
Google and Yahoo provide Maps for free. Nokia and TomTom (Telenet & Navteq) make you pay hugely for Maps.
Which business plan will fail?
amby @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:19AM
@Ian - Nokia provides Maps for free. Please check your facts before statements like that.
ScOObyDoo @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:29AM
1) Where do you think Google gets their maps? Check maps.google.com and see who the copyright belongs to.
2) Google PAYS Navteq for their maps, so even though they are free to us we pay indirectly through ad's
3) Google maps is hardly a replacement for a good in-dash or portable nav system. It does very limited GPS on some phones, no rerouting and still requires a PDA data connection and GPS or notebook. The price of this is usually higher than a standalone GPS unit.
4) Since when do Tele Atlas and Navteq make YOU pay for maps? If you buy a $200 Garmin or TomTom unit it comes with all the map you need.
Ian @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:43AM
o When I buy a GPS unit I get MAPS included BUT these maps are only for the Regiuon of the world I reside in. i.e. I live in NJ so I get NA maps. But I travel to Europe and Asia so I need all those maps as well. I HAVE TO PAY for them. Go to Tom Tom and other sites and see the mega prices for the downloads!
o I don't care where Google and Yahoo go for their base maps. They pay for them in some way, but increasingly they offer better maping services to the user, usually for no charge. Sure we see ads... As the internet becomes more common and faster via wireless.... I think most can see where this leads....... The point is the business of GPS is likely to morph over the next few years.....
I think this answers the queries put to me:)