Is that actually known as the reason for certain, or is that reason being assumed?
Because I've seen that presented as a hypothesis but never any actual evidence. I recall another hypothesis had something to do with better Maps integration on Search pages.
I'm sure there are lots of potential internal technical reasons for such a switch. Location permissions is just one possibility.
I dimly recall it being noticed at the time but I suspect it was really a convenient side effect ie a contributory factor and not the primary reason.
I think "branding" is far more likely. google.com is the brand and a single entry point landing on search which then points you at what you "need". Note how you search and can click on the buttons underneath the bar to move into images, maps etc. Maps is just another specialized form of search.
Of course this opinion is not based on reality in the slightest. HN looooves to come up with wild conspiracy theories like this and reiterate them as fact, especially when they prove a corporation is secretly doing something evil.
Things that are searches (like maps) moved onto the search domain (www), other stuff like docs and ads stayed on property specific subdomains. Anything not a core google service (experiments and projects built by outside vendors) moved to withgoogle.com.
Because I've seen that presented as a hypothesis but never any actual evidence. I recall another hypothesis had something to do with better Maps integration on Search pages.
I'm sure there are lots of potential internal technical reasons for such a switch. Location permissions is just one possibility.