The New Google Maps Update Would Like To Sell You A Bunch of Stuff
Friday, February 21, 2014 - 10:38 AM
(Google)
I get inordinately excited about any developments with mapping
apps because I'm deeply dependent on them. I have a sense of direction
that's very bad. Like, nearly Oliver-Sacks-anecdote level bad (After
five years working in the same building, I still sometimes get lost on
the way to work.)
Unfortunately, on first blush the new Google Maps seems mostly designed to sell you more stuff. For instance, in addition to plotting routes via foot, car, train, or bike, you can now map an airplane route. Why add this? Because it allows Google Flights to sell you plane tickets. Besides that, I'm not sure what the utility of planning a Google maps airplane route is, unless you're a stunningly dilettantish pilot.
Elsewhere, the new upgrade brings Event Listings for venues (buy tickets!), icons for local businesses (buy local goods!), and improved real time traffic data (which I have to admit is actually pretty useful.)
Unfortunately, on first blush the new Google Maps seems mostly designed to sell you more stuff. For instance, in addition to plotting routes via foot, car, train, or bike, you can now map an airplane route. Why add this? Because it allows Google Flights to sell you plane tickets. Besides that, I'm not sure what the utility of planning a Google maps airplane route is, unless you're a stunningly dilettantish pilot.
Elsewhere, the new upgrade brings Event Listings for venues (buy tickets!), icons for local businesses (buy local goods!), and improved real time traffic data (which I have to admit is actually pretty useful.)
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PJ Vogt
PJ Vogt is on Twitter here. If you'd like to subscribe to TLDR's short weekly podcast, please go here.
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