By Steve Ragan Jul 12, 2007, 15:05 GMT
Well, they have done it again. This time it is another feature for Google Maps, and one that many travelers, and summer vacationers might want to take the time to look over. For the casual user, there is another tool in the Maps lineup to scout an area or just to spend time looking to see what is outside of your hometown. Yesterday, Google released a new feature of Google Maps that enables users to layer third-party information directly on Google Maps with a single click.
These mini-applications, called Mapplets, make it possible for users to view and layer maps containing information such as real estate listings, jogging trails events and photos. After they are loaded, they can be saved in a personal library for later use. For example, someone who is planning a vacation will want to view and layer maps of hotel availability, regional weather forecasts, gas prices and other related trip information.
Once you have created you custom map, Google says you can create your own personalized itinerary simply by saving the results, adding their own notes, and putting it on a map to share with family and friends. Are you looking for a new home? Then, you can search real estate listings, but to add some flair to the home search Google adds the ability to layer findings over transit maps and crime statistics to refine your search.
These new tools can be found in the Google Maps Directory. “The directory is accessed by clicking on the "Add content" link in the "My Maps" tab in Google Maps. Users simply click on the "Add it to Maps" buttons within the directory to bookmark relevant content,” the search wizard said in a statement.
There are over one hundred Mapplets featured at the launch of the service. Hotel pricing and availability from Orbitz and Booking.com, local weather conditions and traffic cameras from WeatherBug, webcams from Webcams.travel, things to do and local events from Zvents, and gas prices from GasBuddy.com. Google has added some of their own coded goodies to the mix including the Google Real Estate Search, YouTube Mapplets, and Panoramio Mapplets.
These tools are built using the Google Mapplets platform, which enables any developer to create mini map applications that overlay their content on Google Maps and showcase their services to millions of Google users. Developers can find more information on authoring Mapplets here: http://www.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/mapplets/
Your Talkback on this Story