They already do allocate that fraction. They have tons of software that is 100% free on their devices, and without ads.
But Maps is orders of magnitude more expensive than other apps because of the data. Maps isn't just a feature, it's an ongoing service. It's not unreasonable that they recoup some of the money with more prominence given to paid search results.
I don't hear people complaining much about the advertising that has been on Google Maps since forever. So I don't understand what's working people up here. These aren't banner ads. Apple is a business. And you can use Apple Maps over the web, without paying Apple a cent. You really think Apple should be a charity and do this stuff entirely for free?
I definitely complain about advertising in Google Maps all the time. The only time I swear out loud while using my phone is when I use maps, like each time an ad for a business blocks the area I'm actually trying to see to navigate, or each time it shows me where Taco Bell and Arby's is when I'm searching for something like "Indian Restaurant". You can argue that they need to do this to make money or whatever, fine, but don't argue that the user experience isn't shitty.
It strikes me as more unreasonable for you to demand that companies to give you things for free. Honestly, it strikes me as some kind of feeling of entitlement, and I don't know what you think justifies that.
And if you're paying them a monthly subscription for iCloud storage or Apple TV or something, I don't see what that has to do with a Maps. You don't get Apple TV for free if you pay for iCloud either. Different services are different services.
Do you think restaurants should just always give you a free appetizer every time you walk in because sometimes you order entrees there?
I paid for hardware advertised to run Maps without ads. I am literally entitled to that. Apple makes plenty of money on hardware for that to be a minor expense compared to their profits.
If they were really greedy, they could require a subscription for Maps. I might even accept that.
I will not accept ads. I paid quite a lot extra specifically to avoid ads.
> I paid for hardware advertised to run Maps without ads.
Show me where their advertising says their hardware runs Maps without ads, where they make that claim. Because I've certainly never seen it.
Again, you know Apple Maps works on web browsers too? It's not only for Apple devices. You don't need to pay Apple a dime.
I really don't know what contract you're imagining where you think you've "paid quite a lot extra specifically" to Apple and they promised you no ads in Maps in exchange.
I didn't know Apple Maps works without an Apple device. Fine, they can require a monthly subscription or show ads to people that haven't paid for their hardware. But I did, specifically to avoid the ads on Windows and Android.
Why are you defending ads? I've never encountered someone insisting companies should do more of them, especially if they clearly don't need the revenue. Are you ok?
Because I'm realistic about the fact that money doesn't grow on trees, and businesses only keep things around in the long-term that clearly contribute to the bottom line.
> especially if they clearly don't need the revenue
Pretty much everyone with shares in Apple would very much like more revenue because those shares become more valuable. There's no such thing as shares that "don't need" to grow anymore.
Not sure what that has to do with anything? Showing software in a particular state doesn't mean the software is frozen in that state for all time. Maps has gotten tons of changes since previous versions in keynotes.
I certainly don't remember any keynote ever saying "and we promise to keep Maps ad-free whenever it's running on Apple hardware!"
I think the answer is obvious, no lawyers needed in this case. That's not a lawsuit anyone would ever win, since Apple has never made such promises, and iPhones continue to accomplish the tasks they have been advertised as accomplishing.
But Maps is orders of magnitude more expensive than other apps because of the data. Maps isn't just a feature, it's an ongoing service. It's not unreasonable that they recoup some of the money with more prominence given to paid search results.
I don't hear people complaining much about the advertising that has been on Google Maps since forever. So I don't understand what's working people up here. These aren't banner ads. Apple is a business. And you can use Apple Maps over the web, without paying Apple a cent. You really think Apple should be a charity and do this stuff entirely for free?