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Because Google's location service might be the best, but other components might not. What if someone doesn't want to use G+ to "organize [their] friends", they just want a service that provides locations? The way Google did things previously was much more modular, you could pick and choose among products that each did basically one thing. Kind of Unix-y actually.

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You're indicting G+ for not allowing modular friend organisation. That's the whole point of 'circles'. Ok so you just want a service that provides locations? If you have a Google account then you can use Plus, that service provides locations, done.

You never have to see or hear or deal with any parts of G+ you don't want to. You don't have to mix friend groups up or assign people to only one label etc.

No question this is probably a better offering for the majority of users... both G+ users and non... it just doesn't work with my flow. I like the analogy of wanting a radio and being offered a car. I could sit in the car and not touch anything else and just listen to the radio... but the fact is I now own a car... even sitting idle a G+ account (or car) has implications.

I don't see the problem of using Google+ for Location only, if that is the only part you care about.

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