At the Google I/O Connect, Bengaluru, on Wednesday, Google Maps announced that it has lowered India-specific pricing reductions for Google Maps Platform API.
“Starting August 1, you can expect to pay up to 70% less on Google Maps Platform API,” said Ambrish Kenghe, vice president of Google Pay. The company also announced a special program in collaboration with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
“If you’re building for the ONDC, you might be eligible for up to 90% off on select map APIs,” Kenghe added.
New Collaborations
At the I/O summit, Google also announced its new collaborations as a part of its efforts to help the next generation of startups and developers to solve real-world challenges. It announced that it is working with METI Startup Hub to enable 10,000 Indian startups in their journey with AI.
“As part of this effort, we are supporting eligible AI startups with up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits to help them invest in AI infrastructure. We are also reorienting our existing programs, like the Startup School and AppScale Academy, to be AI-first,” Kenghe said. Kenghe also announced a nationwide Gen AI Hackathon and an AI startup boot camp.
Google’s Answer To Ola?
The move comes days after Ola replaced Google Maps to its in-house Ola Maps. In an X post, Aggarwal wrote, “We used to spend 100 crores a year, but we’ve made that 0 this month by moving completely to our in-house Ola Maps!”. Ola Maps is positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to Google Maps.
Aggarwal is not the only one challenging Google Maps at the moment. Recently, ISRO chief S Somanath claimed that “ISRO’s Bhuvan is 10x better than Google Maps”.
In a bid to keep up the race, Google has introduced new features to Maps in India, including Lens in Maps and Live View walking navigation. With these features, users can see arrows, directions, and distance markers overlaid on the Maps screen, helping them quickly figure out which way to go.
The tech giant also introduced Address Descriptors on Google Maps to help users understand addresses better, in a way they are used to in real life. Google is now experimenting with generative AI as well.
