Google Maps Cuts Prices by 70% After Ola Maps offers Free
- BY Dhiren
- July 18, 2024
- Read in 3 Minutes
Google has announced a 70% price drop in Google Maps API for Indian developers, only one week after Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal provided all developers with one-year free subscriptions to Ola Maps.
The tech giant made the statement on July 17 at Google I/O Connect, its developer event in Bengaluru.
How and when will Google Maps rates in India change?
Google has also announced that it will provide a 90% discount to developers who join the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a state-owned organization established by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to create open e-commerce.
The revised pricing will go into effect on August 1. Google has also created India-specific pricing and will begin taking rupee payments for Google Maps subscriptions. It presently takes only payments in US dollars.
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What has Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal announced?
Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) that Ola Cabs will use its own in-house Ola Maps rather than Google Maps. He claimed that the corporation would save ₹100 crore in the process.
Two days later, he encouraged developers to utilize Ola Maps instead of Google Maps, offering them free yearly access.
He added that Ola Maps will soon have many additional capabilities such as street view, NERFs, interior photos, 3D maps, and drone mapping and that it would be available on the Krutrim cloud. Krutrim is Ola’s in-house AI, which was created in December of last year.
After Google dropped its costs, the CEO replied with another post on X, stating it was “too little, too late,” and promising substantial upgrades to Ola Maps in a blog post on Krutrim.
Dear @Google, too little too late!
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) July 17, 2024
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
What is Krutrim AI?
Ola, an Indian multinational ridesharing firm, debuted Krutrim AI, describing it as “India’s own AI.” The original version promised considerable changes as the corporation aimed to extend its base.
You may reach Krutrim AI at chat.olakrutrim.com.
Krutrim AI is touted as a personal assistant that simplifies both personal and professional responsibilities while preserving the authenticity of Indian culture. Ola describes it as a big step forward in their efforts to establish India’s artificial intelligence technology.
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How Does Krutrim AI Differ from Other Platforms?
While Krutrim provides normal AI assistant functions such as email writing, information retrieval, skill learning, vacation planning, and food ideas, its unique selling point is its ability to accommodate India’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
Krutrim claims fluency in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, Kannada, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, and Hinglish.
Krutrim AI uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to grasp human language subtleties and machine learning (ML) techniques to fine-tune its replies over time.
Furthermore, Deep Learning helps with pattern identification and sophisticated data processing, potentially improving Krutrim AI’s effectiveness. While particular technology remain unknown, these techniques are consistent with Krutrim AI’s shown capabilities.
