> I want a competitor that offers at least roughly similar quality How will that happen realistically? The truth is it's impossible to compete with ad-funded

> I want a competitor that offers at least roughly similar quality How will that happen realistically? The truth is it's impossible to compete with ad-funded tech giants in the current state of affairs. For that to change two things are needed: 1 . government intervention to break up Google ads from their maps and other businesses, leveling the playing field for their competitors who aren't making money via ads (not really gonna happen in the US, but maybe ... wink wink EU) 2. consumers now being OK with having to pay market prices for subscriptions to essential services like maps, email, etc. that they got used to getting for free through their personal data monetization (also not really gonna happen because people don't like paying for stuff they used to get for free and also many people can't afford to pay)