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Google Maps Floor Plans

maps.google.com

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Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#21
post #18

A shame that all of this data is collected "free" for Google, then people are made to pay to access it for their apps in the Maps API.

The normal user will still be able to use them for free. Google, however, can't use the uploaded data for free, but has to invest quite massively in order to prepare it for consumption.

Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#22
post #18

A shame that all of this data is collected "free" for Google, then people are made to pay to access it for their apps in the Maps API.

Only sites that pay are sites with many thousands of requests per day. They're more paying for the infrastructure overhead than data. Would you rather have Google Maps covered in ads, ala Search, or have the top 1% of companies making money from the product pay for it?

Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#24

What's preventing people from uploading incorrect floor plans? Plus, with no standard floor plan format, I don't see how this is useful, beyond showing another helpful picture of a location.

I actually see a benefit in uploading incorrect floor plans. A security measure, if you will.

Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#25
In the US, "Blueprints" etc. are protected by copyright and the vast majority are provided to building owners under very restricted usage rights which do not anticipate such use.

The suggestion that people just upload them is somewhat problematic in so far as it is akin to Napster's approach to music a decade ago.

Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#26
post #18

A shame that all of this data is collected "free" for Google, then people are made to pay to access it for their apps in the Maps API.

Only sites that pay are sites with many thousands of requests per day. They're more paying for the infrastructure overhead than data. Would you rather have Google Maps covered in ads, ala Search, or have the top 1% of companies making money from the product pay for it?

You can't get even an offline dump for statistical/data-mining purposes, though; it's not only real-time, live use of the data that's restricted. That's why I contribute to OpenStreetMap but don't participate in any of Google Maps's crowdsourcing efforts, because I want the data to be available for bulk download to enable various kinds of analysis and reuse.

If Google provided bulk downloads I'd support their service, though, even if the online API required payment, because I do think it's reasonable to charge people who're using Google's infrastructure as basically their webapp backend.

Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#27
$1,000 says this will be featured in a heist movie in the next year. This is exactly the kind of tech I used to scoff at when the uber-skilled hacker pulls up a 3D map of the target building.

Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#28
post #13

Why would this be Android only? Isn't there value at all in having this on a full computer?

Maybe, but they seem to be going for helping people find things in places like malls and such. So instead of using a directory (which can sometimes be few and far between), you find it on your phone. Also, you can probably sync with your location so you have a real-time "You are here!" icon.

Re: Google Maps Floor Plans

#30

In the US, "Blueprints" etc. are protected by copyright and the vast majority are provided to building owners under very restricted usage rights which do not anticipate such use. The suggestion that people just upload them is somewhat problematic in so far as it is akin to Napster's approach to music a decade ago.

The upload form clearly states Make sure you have permission to use the floor plan you are uploading.
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