Google is planning to reduce a substantial amount in API prices in its Map platform as it was announced on Thursday. The Indian API prices will be dwindled for the developers aiming to maintain Google’s domination in the Indian market making it more accessible and economical.
The company is set to cut down the price of Google Maps by up to 70 per cent of Indian money. This will allow Indian developers to integrate Google Maps into their applications in an affordable way. Since the announcement, several opinions have flooded the internet as the recent establishment of Ola Maps by Ola (multinational ride-sharing company), has gained momentum due to its cost-effective feature and localised solutions.
Also, read| Ola Exits Google Maps, “Used To Spend Rs 100 Crore, 0 This Month,” Says CEO Bhavish Aggarwal
Bhavish Aggarwal the co-founder of Ola reacted to this decision of Google saying that the company is too late to offer such a cost-effective feature in India as Ola has already gained attention for its budget-friendly map inputs. Earlier this month he encouraged users to update their Ola app to access the new mapping service and mentioned that the Ola Maps API is now available on Krutrim Cloud, with additional features like street view, NERFs, indoor images, 3D maps and a new drone map soon to be rolled out.
Dear @Google, too little too late!
Reducing prices for @googlemaps, “offering to price in ₹” after #ExitGoogleMaps. Don’t need your fake generosity!
Tomorrow, I’ll be writing a blog response and announcing major updates on Ola maps @Krutrim. Stay tuned! 🇮🇳💪 pic.twitter.com/XlXfp10J2L
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) July 17, 2024
On the contrary, Google is making available for developers offering up to 90 per cent off select Google Maps Platform APIs for developers on the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) to support Indian innovations in the field of digital commerce and help developers provide them with advanced tools at an affordable cost. The company is set to catapult new APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for its Google Wallets to make the integration more comprehensible in loyalty programs, tickets and gift cards.
