Vietmap is one of the most popular map services for vehicles in Vietnam. In addition, the company also provides hardware devices to serve the navigation needs of users, especially cars. Previously, this software was sold as a package license: subscribers who registered an account and purchased the license would not have to pay any other periodic costs, and would receive new map data updates every quarter.
The newly launched Vietmap S2 map will have to be converted to a new version
From the beginning of 2023, the company launches Vietmap Live version, advertised as having "many outstanding advantages, different from Vietmap S2 software", which is the stated package version. Another difference is that Vietmap Live requires subscription payments, periodically every year or chooses 2 years, no longer has a full copyright, and increases the automatic data update time to once every week.
According to the latest announcement from the company, from April 22.4.2024, 2, Vietmap S2 will officially stop updating map data, users who want new information will be forced to switch to buying the Live version. They still have the option to continue using S2's full license, but at the cost of using data that has aged over time. Previously, each Vietmap S3 data copyright was updated for XNUMX years. After this time, users paid an additional fee to update the information and did not need to buy the copyright again.
Previously, Vietmap also launched Vietmap S1 version with a similar policy of buying copyright once, then digital map data is updated for free every quarter. Currently, this policy has also been canceled when the company launches Vietmap S2 version in early 2022.
Although the company offers a policy of giving 3 years of use to S2 users who switch to Vietmap Live (applicable from May 1.5.2024, XNUMX), this move still faces reactions from media owners who have or have just purchased the full version. Many people who are using this application on integrated hardware devices sold by the company also wonder how support will be provided in the future when the company develops many versions of maps and devices, lacking uniformity. Launched for a short time then suddenly stopped supporting.
Mr. Nguyen Thong (Quang Ngai) expressed: "This is not called 'gift' but it is said to be a gift? This is literally forcing users to switch to Vietmap Live." Sharing the same opinion, Mr. Tran Thanh Hung (Da Nang) believes that users who are using the copyrighted S2 version are 'forced' to Vietmap Live, after 3 years and then start charging, it cannot be called a "gift" like Notice from the development company.
Many people who buy hardware devices with integrated old map copyrights are worried about the possibility of being "abandoned" by the company.
Having to switch to the Live version also makes some users worried because this program operates based on an online data connection, not offline software like S2. This means that if the vehicle moves into an area with poor mobile signal or no signal, Vietmap Live will not be able to provide accurate information, contrary to Vietmap S2, which does not need an internet network and can still locate and navigate stably. determined.
Although it is software that operates online (via a telecommunications connection), Vietmap Live is receiving many mixed comments about its operational capabilities. In particular, many users said the ability to update GPS location is inaccurate, displays wrong speed if the vehicle moves below 50 km/h, reports incorrect warning information compared to reality...
To overcome the program's shortcomings, users choose to use offline Google Maps for directions, combined with Live to update signage information in passing areas.
However, this may soon no longer be necessary when Google Maps will display detailed information about the sign in the near future. Besides, free software like Waze is also actively improving data in Vietnam. At the same time, Apple sent a series of mapping vehicles onto the streets to update navigation information for its Maps application in the Vietnamese market.
