[pkh80]

and that will be paid for, how?

Its been said that Maps is likely Google's most expensive product to maintain. Just think about the scope of driving every road in the world as often as possible.

It will only be replaced by OSM if OSM gets to be better than Maps on its own.

[Doctor_Fegg]

OSM's already better than Google Maps in many ways - walking and cycling data, detail in several European countries, and so on. And the beauty of it is that it's paid for by the volunteer effort of its contributors.

[nightski]

How is it being paid for by volunteer effort any more beautiful than Google supporting it's 55k employees with an above average lifestyle?