Google Unveils New Initiatives to Empower Indian Developers with Maps Platform
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New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Google has revealed plans to assist Indian developers in maximizing their use of the Maps platform, offering complimentary access to Routes, Places, and Environment application programming interfaces (APIs) as well as software development kits (SDKs).
Effective March 1, 2025, developers will enjoy free access to Maps, Routes, Places, and Environment products up to a specified monthly threshold, enabling them to incorporate various offerings such as Places Nearby and Dynamic Street View without incurring initial costs.
“In India, this signifies that instead of the standard $200 monthly credit we currently provide, developers will soon be able to utilize up to $6,800 worth of complimentary usage each month, distributed across all products,” stated Tina Weyand, Senior Director of Product Management, Google Maps Platform.
This initiative will empower developers with the flexibility to create superior solutions and experiment with Google APIs and SDKs at no expense.
With the newly expanded free usage, developers will only incur charges if they surpass the designated limit.
“Additionally, Maps Embed API and Maps SDK – some of our most sought-after products – will maintain unlimited free usage,” the company added.
The Google Maps Platform has significantly aided developers in India in crafting valuable and innovative experiences, facilitating everything from delivery services to travel applications.
“In India, our coverage encompasses over 7 million kilometers of roads, 300 million buildings, and 35 million businesses and places,” informed Weyand.
“We are continually developing solutions that cater to complex local requirements by leveraging the capabilities of AI, such as Address Descriptors, which was pioneered in India to assist developers in presenting addresses in a distinct local format, along with features like the Air Quality API, delivering robust and reliable air quality data,” she remarked.
Recently, the tech giant rolled out India-specific pricing for the Google Maps Platform, featuring reductions of up to 70 percent on most APIs, and a partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) offering developers discounts of up to 90 percent on select Google Maps Platform APIs.
As a consequence of these enhancements, numerous developers have reported a decrease in their expenses by more than half, with smaller developers experiencing even more substantial reductions, according to the company.
“This pricing update has solidified the Google Maps Platform’s position as a strategic ally. By keeping technological operational costs low, it has allowed us to expand our operations without concerns regarding escalating costs, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our platform,” expressed Praful Poddar, Chief Product Officer, Shiprocket.
