Why Google Maps is headed indoors

Simply astonishing!

I'm simply NOT going to Google info on the interior layout of my house!!!

I simply couldn't resist!

Fred

Cue the Big Brother music...!

You got that right!

Did you see the article on Carrier IQ today RE: Android as well as other devices? Privacy exploited at its best w/o opt-out options (or initial disclosures for that matter)!

See my comment from over a year ago:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30645

Another reason I think Google is getting into it--they well could have seen the popularity of an already-existing similar app called Point Inside (which mostly focuses on indoor maps of malls and airports)--I still find Point Inside more useful (the only thing available indoors at present from Google Maps is Home Depot) but I think Google is engaging in some "friendly competition" with the Point Inside folks there.

I think it would be handy to have detailed indoor maps of (for example) airports, and even better, to have accurate GPS readings of where I am in the airport. It would also be nice to use in order to find my car.

If it works, seems like a good thing.

I have to say I think this is a bad idea!

Technology is advancing rapidly to respond to OUR demand for convenience. Along with the advantages of all these innovations come disadvantages - or more accurately, functions that can be exploited for what we perceive as improper uses.

If I am THAT concerned about my privacy, I can just jump in my time machine and go back to the good old days... you know, when people didn't take phone calls while sitting on the toilet, order pizza on-line, or find out-of-the-way tourist destinations

Sorry, every silver lining comes with a dark cloud!

Off topic - Glad you weren't blown into Oz by the windstorm!

On topic - The tech isn't the problem. It's the abuse of it that's worrisome.

is the paranoid folks out there that make unfounded claims and all the lemmings that will blindly follow them repeating the paranoid mantra without taking the time to research the issue and make a educated decision on the topic at hand.

I'm not saying that there are abuses, but a large percentage of the reported abuse is unfounded when you take the time to do a little research for yourself.

We need to act as an informed and educated agent of change and not a paranoid mob of lemmings.

But, the major players haven't helped their cases by abusing their subscriber's info. Sec leaks, selling non- anonymous data, and a few other things get people on edge as to what is going where.

Even paranoids have real enemies...

Like, for example, claiming that Google is going to come into your house and map it out when they have explicitly said otherwise? Google has to reach an agreement with businesses to have their space plans included on Google Maps. Attempting to do the same with private residences is pretty much impossible.

You do not have any privacy anymore, get over it and get on with your life.

I am not joking when I say that for $500 or less anyone can find out EVERYTHING about you that you wish to hide. We are well past the point where you could go off the grid and survive in our society.

Will other countries allow the layout of buildings to be in the public domain? Be interesting to get the layout of the Kremlin, and maybe some sites in Iran.

This info becomes available to the good guys and the bad guys. How nice.

Not sure how it helps the bad guys that much. If bad guys are after something, especially a public space, they can easily scope it out in person.

Don't really see the concern expressed by some in this thread...

If people don't push back though, it's only going to get worse. Invasion of privacy will eventually lead to identity theft, etc. It's got to be challenged at some point you know?