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A Very Normal Interaction
(pawb.social)
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this post was submitted on 12 May 2025
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Fuck AI
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Not really a new thing. Before GPS was in everyone's pocket, you had to get specialized devices. The companies that made those generally gave you 1 free World Map download (or in some cases only your region for free), but future updates or expansions to it would cost a non-trivial amount.
I'm honestly surprised that one of the big players hasn't tried to offer some sort of premium map subscription now that I think about it, though.
ETA: also, physical maps and atlases could be purchased on subscriptions through mail-in stuffs before the internet
Mapquest was revolutionary for offering free driving directions where previously that cost money and was usually only worth paying for on major road trips. Google took that and supercharged it by offering free directions on your phone, joining a growing list of products where they took something that used to cost money and offering it for “free” in exchange for all your information.
Would we have to lose these great features?
No, you would just have to start paying for the maps. They'd never do something so cursed as to take that away from you!