[OSM-talk] Interesting article on Google Map strategy

[Nic Roets]

On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 2:19 PM, Emilie Laffray <emilie.laffray at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I have just found this article on Google strategy.
>
> http://abovethecrowd.com/2009/10/29/google-redefines-disruption-the-%E2%80%9Cless-than-free%E2%80%9D-business-model/
>
> If I understand this article correctly, it does make sense for Google not
> to use OSM, as they would be giving the advantage they gained to potential
> competitors like those companies not linked to a map company.
>
>
So the argument is that Google is trying to reduce the rate at which OSM is
growing so that they don't have to compete with us in a few years ?

I've been wondering about something similar with mapping in South Africa:
Last year, OSM was quite complete in the major business centers. Meanwhile
most of the popular international mapping wegsites (Google, MS, Y! etc) were
very incomplete. Presumably TeleAtlas and Navteq were reluctant to license
their data to Google, because it would hurt Satnav sales. Then, earlier this
year, Google and most of the other big website got licenses.

Did OSM play any role in forcing the hand of TeleAtlas and Navteq in South
Africa ? Or was it purely other forces at work ? Anyone dare to speculate ?
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