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Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#241

Post by jeffbee »

cush wrote: post #125

If you have an iPhone and haven't been using Apple Maps, it's basically on par now with Google Maps for navigation. I hadn't tried Apple Maps for years because of how bad it used to be, and was pleasantly surprised to find the maps are incredibly accurate and turn by turn navigation is rock solid. I haven't touched Google Maps in months, and this post is reminding me that it's time to just uninstall it

This is an odd response to this specific discussion, because Apple removed the user ability to disable wifi scans for location services in iOS 11. If anything, Apple is worse in this specific regard.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#242

Post by kelnos »

causality0 wrote: post #54

I have regarded the entire Google Maps dev team with utter contempt since they first combined maps and navigation into one app, thereby preventing you from using both at the same time. At this point I'd rather use a paper map then let Google wardrive using my phone 24 hours a day.

Can't you just open Google Maps in the browser? Just tried and it works fine. (Firefox did try to auto-open the app, but going back and trying again caused it to stay in the browser.)

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#243

Post by refulgentis »

danielfoster wrote: post #239
wavefunction wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Legally, everything it does must generate shareholder value. What's the basis for this claim?

Corporate Law 101.

That is not corporate law 101. I see how a layman could construe it that way, particularly when motivated to argue.

However, it is perfectly fine for corporations to allow you to disable notifications without charging you for it.

The general thrust of that value does not mean the corporation has to find a way to profit from every interaction

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#244

Post by evancox100 »

yojo wrote: post #189
moritonal wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can't believe I'm on this side of the debate, but at what point are we asking too much for free? Google provide Maps for free to an incredible accuracy and value. Unlike Apple, the user is welcome to use any other app, and yet chooses to use Google Maps. You could maybe argue that Google Maps is part of a package you bought the phone for, but realistically I think the solution is Google are just open about the use of…

Google is a large monopoly that subsidizes “free” products to burn a thousand mile clearing around their money engine. If Google maps was not free, there would be more of a market for competing mapping products. A mapping product has a natural intersection with advertisements - a non-negligible number of mapped trips are commercial in nature, and can thus catch consumers right before the moment of purchase. This migh…

Makes me wonder, was the DoJ right that it was bad for Microsoft to bundle Internet Explorer for free? I know it sounds insane now to have an OS without a browser, but was this the “original sin” that permanently warped expectations for what amounts people should be willing to pay for software?

Even today, outside of gaming/entertainment, the consumer software market is basically a wasteland. But if you had to pay for a browser today (pick your favorite), how much would that be worth to you? (Netscape cost $50! Or $90 in today’s equivalent.) I can’t think of any other market where we expect so much in exchange for paying so little.

Most likely today’s end state was inevitable; if MSFT hadn’t bundled IE, someone else would have made a similar play and capitalized on the network effects.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#245

Post by busymom0 »

mhardcastle wrote: post #224
philsnow wrote: post #215

Not related to Google maps, but just today I got tired of the Amazon app sending me "you might like this deal" notifications and dug into whether it's possible to disable them. You can , but if you do, Amazon will no longer send Amazon "Smile" micro-donations to whatever charity you've selected: https://i.imgur.com/wNAkUAT.jpeg . I can't say that this is underhanded, but it does cast into sharp relief the fact that A…

Shopping at Amazon has become such a blatantly user-hostile experience. More than any company I've dealt with in recent memory, they seem to tolerate just about any unethical behavior - allowing fake product reviews, facilitating sale of counterfeit merchandise, and evidently withholding charitable donations if you don't allow them to pester you via your own device. It's to the point that shopping at Amazon feels dir…

Amazon has also become a dumpster for poor quality products and high prices now a days here in Canada. Few months ago, I bought some bedsheets which claimed to be Egyptian cotton but upon delivery, that wasn't true. I have had this experience with other products too now on Amazon.

Their customer service and returns are still very good but the product quality and online marketing is filled with lies.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#246

Post by busymom0 »

philsnow wrote: post #215

Not related to Google maps, but just today I got tired of the Amazon app sending me "you might like this deal" notifications and dug into whether it's possible to disable them. You can , but if you do, Amazon will no longer send Amazon "Smile" micro-donations to whatever charity you've selected: https://i.imgur.com/wNAkUAT.jpeg . I can't say that this is underhanded, but it does cast into sharp relief the fact that A…

On iOS, such marketing notifications is supposed to be against the developer guidelines but I regularly see Uber, Ubereats and other high profile companies break those rules without any repercussions.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#247

Post by notsureaboutpg »

Schiendelman wrote: post #15
bkovacev wrote: post #3

What are some reliable alternatives for both iOS and Android? I'm unsure how are Apple Maps, but they were hideous a while back for Eastern Europe at least.

There are still places in the world where Apple Maps isn't great, but for 90% of people they're now as good for navigation, if not better (since they've built a data gathering operation). Last year I used Apple Maps for a 34,000 mile road trip. No significant issues.

No post body was provided.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#248

Post by mattkrause »

wavefunction wrote: post #235
abandonliberty wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it makes you feel any better, it's a publicly traded company. Legally, everything it does must generate shareholder value. Smile is really just a way to get additional value from donations large companies have to make anyway for lobbying and tax purposes. They would've happened anyway, but you get to direct it. Maybe they can sell the data it generates to identify areas or people more likely to donate to charity,…

>Legally, everything it does must generate shareholder value. What's the basis for this claim?

None.

Since I am determined to crush this stupid meme, here is a longish thread discussing the relevant case law: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23393674

The gist of it is that management must act in the best interests of the company generally, but has exceptional latitude in deciding what those are: you don’t need to squeeze every penny from customers if there’s some nebulous but plausible reason why doing so may eventually be good for the company and its shareholders. Dodge is a tough case because Ford explicitly disavowed any business reason for his actions, but instead framed it as his own philanthropic interest and not, say, a reinvestment in the company or an attempt to grow the customer base.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#249

Post by steelframe »

teirce wrote: post #237
wavefunction wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Legally, everything it does must generate shareholder value. What's the basis for this claim?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_v._Ford_Motor_Co .

From TFA:

> A business corporation is organized and carried on primarily for the profit of the stockholders. The powers of the directors are to be employed for that end. The discretion of directors is to be exercised in the choice of means to attain that end, and does not extend to a change in the end itself, to the reduction of profits, or to the non-distribution of profits among stockholders in order to devote them to other purposes...

That doesn't exactly support the position that everything a publicly traded company does must generate shareholder value. The judgement reads closer to, "You can't run your publicly-traded company like a charity."

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#250

Post by j1elo »

jmkb wrote: post #226
uneekname wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does anyone have a favorite that has worked well for them?

For hiking and biking, I like Windy Maps. It shows terrain contours and highlights foot and bike trail relations, and has an easy-to-use GPS track recorder. You can also ask for future weather forecasts along a navigation route, which is pretty keen if you're traveling long distances. Windy Maps does have a driving navigation mode, but I find that the extra map details that are handy for outdoors activities crowd the…

If you are lucky to live in a city covered by them, Citymapper is a very good app for public transit routing.
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