I have a PhoneGap application that has a Google Map view that drops pins for locations geo-encoded by Google Maps. I’m using the free client-side API since from my understanding each user that installs the app has his/her own usage limits (25k per day), that they will likely never exceed. The app is free, but I was paid to build the app.
If this goes to the app store am I breaking the law? I feel like a PhoneGap mobile application is a gray area since there is no server and no single IP that can abuse the service.
I'm not sure who you did pay.
Anyway, the Google Maps API TOS describes this at 9.1.2 Exceptions > Mobile Applications.
https://developers.google.com/maps/terms#section_9_1_2
(b) Mobile Applications.
(i) The rule in Section 9.1.1(a) (Free Access) does not apply if your Maps API Implementation is used in a mobile application that is sold for a fee through an online store and is downloadable to a mobile device that can access the online store.
And Google Maps API for work does not work on PhoneGap, because there is no domain.
Related
I am working on react-native app where I want to show turn by turn navigation to the user. I don't want to open google map on top of my app to show navigation. I want to show navigation in my app only.
Unfortunately, Google Maps Platform terms of service prohibit using an API for real-time navigation.
Have a look at paragraph 3.2.4 Restrictions Against Misusing the Services. It reads:
(d) No Re-Creating Google Products or Features. Customer will not use the Services to create a product or service with features that are substantially similar to or that re-create the features of another Google product or service. Customer’s product or service must contain substantial, independent value and features beyond the Google products or services. For example, Customer will not: (i) re-distribute the Google Maps Core Services or pass them off as if they were Customer’s services; (ii) create a substitute of the Google Maps Core Services, Google Maps, or Google Maps mobile apps, or their features; (iii) use the Google Maps Core Services in a listings or directory service or to create or augment an advertising product; (iv) combine data from the Directions API, Geolocation API, and Maps SDK for Android to create real-time navigation functionality substantially similar to the functionality provided by the Google Maps for Android mobile app.
source: https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/terms/#3-license
The only way compliant with Terms of Service is opening an Intent with Google Maps app in navigation mode.
I hope this clears up your doubt.
I recently saw some information on GME Portable. It sounds like this tool allows not just GME API access, but also regular Maps and Earth API access offline?
I've recently developed the first stage of a demo for an academic software project with the Google Maps API. It seems to be working perfectly, but I've recently been informed that it needs to be useable in an always-offline mode. Thus, my goal is now to convert this app into something that can be always-offline, but still has the elegance of google maps.
Is it possible, with GME Portable (which I cannot find a download for...) or the regular Google Maps API to develop an application that does not need to http-request Google for the API every time it loads up?
I've a small self-hosted website hosted on my home server via no-ip.com, wonder if it's legit/possible to use Google maps on it and what would be the viable options if not?
What do you mean with "to use Google maps on it"?
If you just want to allow your users to see a map and navigate on it, it is possible. Google has published a SDK (Google Maps API) that allows other people to interrogate Google servers, collect data (maps), show maps to users and perform a few operations related to positioning and navigation. There is a web (javascript) toolkit for this here:
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/
Other info here:
https://developers.google.com/maps/
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/
If you want to host a clone of the Google Mpas service on your PC, then no, this is not possible (both for legal and technical reasons).
A well-known, largely appreciated alternative to Google Maps is openstreetmap:
http://openstreetmap.org/
I understand that I can use MapKit within a paid iPhone app. (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7282633/google-maps-apis-in-iphone-paid-app)
How about if I have a feature within such an app that accesses Google Maps driving directions, using Google's web API? Can I still charge for my app?
The Developer Guide provides you with the info you need:
http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/usage.html
It's limited to 25 000 map loads per day, as you are making an iPhone App that makes use of Google Maps per user and not through a server, you should be fine unless the user loads a map more then 25.000 a day, then he is being cut of. But this should not effect your commercial intensions of your app when using this API.
I have an app for which I have extensive use of geocoding, and map plotting. I'd like to make money off it, but not pay the $10k tax since I'm a little guy.
I was thinking about offering the mapping aspects of the app for free, but charge for additional add-ons/features.
Would this be breaking the google licensing?
You can normally use the free Google Maps API if your Maps API implementation is generally accessible to users without charge. You may require users to log in to a section in your website where you would have the Maps API Implementation, but you must not require users to pay a fee. (Google Maps API Terms of Service)
Unless you have entered into a separate written agreement with Google or obtained Google's written permission, your Maps API Implementation must not:
require a fee-based subscription or other fee-based restricted access; or
operate only behind a firewall or only on an internal network (except during the development and testing phase).
In addition you mentioned that your application will use geocoding extensively. Server-side geocoding with the free Maps API has a limit of 15,000 request per IP address per day. (Google Maps API FAQ)
I would suggest getting in touch with Google first, describing your application. They should be able to classify if your application can work within the terms of the free Maps API or not.