Google launched a little feature called MyMaps secretly last night that is going to change the world of mashups forever. The new Google MyMaps feature gives users the ability to create either public or private maps from the Google Maps site. Essentially, Google is giving power to users to create mashups with no knowledge of Javascript.
The toolset that Google gives users is extremely simple and easy to use. Users can add lines, shapes and placemarks to certain areas and mark them with HTML, images and videos. Photos can be added in from PicasaWeb, and videos dropped in markers from Google Video or YouTube with the embed codes that they both provide. Imagine making a travel map with images and video of your trip mapped out to share with family along the way, or a map of pinpointed cafe's where you can access free wifi, and the areas the signal covers.
To start creating maps, make sure you are logged into your Google Account, and click on the My Maps tab to get going. When maps are completed, they can be shared and syndicated through KML files or direct links. All of your maps will be saved under your MyMaps tab for further refinements or references. To share maps, go to the saved map and click on the Link to this page in the top right, this will provide the direct URL link that you can share by copying and pasting to friends.
Get ready for a whole new world of easy map mashups! Thanks Google!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-05-2007 @ 1:00PM
Chris Gilmer said...
You're telling me Chris! I have been playing with this for hours this morning, and already have a few road trips all planned out!
Dont forget that you can change the icon on the pinpoint under the edit mode, there are some pretty cool pre built ones available!
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4-05-2007 @ 1:41PM
Chris Moroz said...
When you really think about it, it seems kinda odd it took them so long to launch this. I'm grateful they finally did though, and road trips just got a WHOLE lot more fun.
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4-05-2007 @ 2:49PM
dave said...
i can't believe with all this i still can't create my own route (unless i'm missing something) what i mean is that when i get directions from point a to point b, google decides the route. i want to be able to click on streets that i take, construct a route, and get a distance and time based on those inputs. is there some way to alter a route that i'm missing?
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4-06-2007 @ 5:10AM
Sergio Gandrus said...
Simply fantastic!
I remember that a similar function exists in GoogleEarth.
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4-06-2007 @ 12:17PM
Mysterius said...
@dave: Try putting in multiple destination points?
(In case you didn't know, Google Maps allows you to put in multiple destinations, like going from your home, to the supermarket, to the office, all in one set of directions.)
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