Well there's a couple things here: 1) I intentionally broadened my point to all the technologies mentioned in the article as opposed to just GPS, which was the

Well there's a couple things here: 1) I intentionally broadened my point to all the technologies mentioned in the article as opposed to just GPS, which was the example you used in your comment. I figured that the broader point was the more interested and more relevant one than that of GPS alone. 2) Less importantly: GPS has characteristics like that which makes it easier to give away for free. However, something having a high fixed cost and then lower on-going cost doesn't mean "there's no point" in charging: it helps defray the initial cost. There are many things that fall into this category (like drug research).