> I've been wondering for a long time when this would come- the processing (getting directions, geocoding, etc) and bandwidth (for map images) demands must be huge, with comparatively little payback.
I'm more thinking about the costs of developing the software and gathering the data. And also the perceived _value_ of the data, independent from its costs. Ever tried to buy the kind of data Google uses on their backend, with terms of use that would support the kind of services Google offers? Good luck--both with terms and then with pricing. Other companies have been charging a fortune for this data.
> It'll be interesting to see how many big operations pay up, and how many switch. To an extent switching might be futile- if Google can't afford to keep the maps offering free, do you really think Yahoo can?
Regardless of whether they can, with Google pulling back, don't you think Yahoo et al. will want to raise their prices?
I'm more thinking about the costs of developing the software and gathering the data. And also the perceived _value_ of the data, independent from its costs. Ever tried to buy the kind of data Google uses on their backend, with terms of use that would support the kind of services Google offers? Good luck--both with terms and then with pricing. Other companies have been charging a fortune for this data.
> It'll be interesting to see how many big operations pay up, and how many switch. To an extent switching might be futile- if Google can't afford to keep the maps offering free, do you really think Yahoo can?
Regardless of whether they can, with Google pulling back, don't you think Yahoo et al. will want to raise their prices?