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this post was submitted on 12 May 2025
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Not really a new thing. Before GPS was in everyone's pocket, you had to get specialized devices. The companies that made those generally gave you 1 free World Map download (or in some cases only your region for free), but future updates or expansions to it would cost a non-trivial amount.
I'm honestly surprised that one of the big players hasn't tried to offer some sort of premium map subscription now that I think about it, though.
ETA: also, physical maps and atlases could be purchased on subscriptions through mail-in stuffs before the internet
Would we have to lose these great features?
No, you would just have to start paying for the maps. They'd never do something so cursed as to take that away from you!
Ads are the least of Google maps problems. They are terrible at detailing lesser known roads. Google maps are good at car navigation and commercial POIs, but for things like hiking they are awful. It kind of baffles me, because they could have the most detailed maps if they would use location data. If 100 devices passed certain spot, there most likely is a road.
Or a traffic jam!
hehe yeah, do you think they at least adjust routes to commercial points of interest if 1000 people navigate somewhere and e.g. always stop a block away from where the map said? or always make a right when the map told them to take a left (but the city planted a tree there)?
Mapquest was revolutionary for offering free driving directions where previously that cost money and was usually only worth paying for on major road trips. Google took that and supercharged it by offering free directions on your phone, joining a growing list of products where they took something that used to cost money and offering it for “free” in exchange for all your information.