Intergrerty -- we've never heard of it - Doc Spinola of that ilk
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Google introduces charges for Maps API
JACK OF ALL TRADES Google has begun charging developers for excessive use of its Maps API, with a price tag of $4 per 1,000 map loads over the first 25,000, upsetting a large number of developers dependent on the API.
Google made the original announcement about the change in April, but it only came into effect this month, forcing developers who go over the 25,000 map loads per day to reduce their usage, pay the excess rate fee, or buy a Maps API Premier licence.
Google said it won't be enforcing the rules immediately, as it is aware that developers need time to evaluate their usage, determine if they are affected, and then act accordingly. Enforcement will be introduced in early 2012, giving developers plenty of time to adjust to the changes.
However, developers have responded angrily to the introduction of fees, with one developer tweeting, "Google remind [sic] me of a drug pusher - giving the first hit for free, getting people hooked, then shaking them down for cash!"
A number of other developers suggested using alternatives to Google's API, such as Open Street Maps, a free editable map of the world. Google's move might benefit the competition considerably, but it can likely afford to lose a lot of developers with its new source of income.
"We understand that the introduction of these limits may be concerning," said Thor Mitchell, product manager of the Maps API at Google. "However with the continued growth in adoption of the Maps API we need to secure its long term future by ensuring that even when used by the highest volume for-profit sites, the service remains viable. By introducing these limits we are ensuring that Google can continue to offer the Maps API for free to the vast majority of developers for many years to come."
While this change in policy is bad news for larger developers, it might not hurt the small developers as much, given that 25,000 free daily map loads is still a fairly sizable number that many developers would envy having. µ
Tags: Software
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Many and I mean MANY web apps are built using the Google Maps and many of them are for advertising, so the web site author is being paid for their work.
It is onlt fair that Google gets paid for their work as well less they stop updating the Google Maps (which cost money to do). The 25,000 hits is very generous unless you are using it for a business application and in that case you have no right to complain, as you have been getting it free so far and the costs outlined by google are not excessive compared to the possible income made by the web site.
Just get over it,
Fred Dunn
PS - I have no relation to Google and in fact use BING for search but Google cannot be beat for their maps and the update frequency.
As a developer and active user of APIs I understand. There is always a price to pay if you want premium add-ons and google maps API is unique. There is no other service like it. Apple may endup paying a lot of money dice their map app on IOS is base on APIs and not developed by Google.
Can someone explain to me what type of developer needs Google Maps API in the first place? Google isn't the only company with Maps and they can't be the primary one that all other map companies are using? Are MapQuest, Yahoo Maps,and Telenav using Google Maps API. Google maps is pretty useless in the car without turn my turn directions. Mapquest and others do that.
Is "map app" in iPhone or iPad is (one) goal for this movement?