Google Maps API updated to support Driving Directions

Google Maps API has been updated to support Driving Directions. This quote from the Google Maps API blog:

You can request directions between a pair of points or a longer sequence of points.

You can request results in multiple languages. We support most major languages including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, and more.

You can fine-tune responses for your application by choosing to request only the directions text or the polyline for the route.

The API is available for directions in the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia. More countries will be added as Google Maps launches in new countries.

Unfortunately, you can't route from New York to Paris. But perhaps you can make a mashup that gives a better suggestion than "Swim across the Atlantic Ocean."

Michigan Sights - Mackinac Bridge

Here's Google Maps Satellite View of Mackinac Bridge which connects Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsula. Quoting Wikipedia:

The Mackinac Bridge is the longest two tower suspension bridge between anchorages (8,614 feet (2,626 m)) in the Western Hemisphere

Google Maps now with Street Side Views

Google Maps now adds Street Side Views for cities like San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York.

Here's an example:
Navigate to maps.google.com
Type in your city for eg: San Francisco
Click on Street View button as shown below:
Next click on any roads outlined with blue color (example below is: Golden Gate Bridge). You now get a Street Side View. Go ahead and Drag the street view to look around 360°. Use the arrow buttons to navigate down the street. You can also use the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Top High Schools in America - 2007

Here's a Google Maps view of Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools in America for 2007.

Google Maps now allows you to avoid Highways

Now when you map out your driving directions using Google Maps you can avoid that big city traffic, take a scenic route.

Google Maps now has a option whereby you can avoid "highways". Check the driving directions from Phoenix, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ (via GoogleMapsMania)

From Phoenix, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ when driving through highways it takes about 2 hours 11 minutes to cover 144 miles. (Google Maps Link)













Now when you avoid highways it takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes to cover 181 miles. (Google Maps Link)

Michigan Weather - Google Maps Mashup

Here's couple of Google Maps Mashup which shows you real time Michigan Weather.

Michigan Weather
Southeastern MI Weather (No Plymouth?)

thanks to Mike Pegg of GoogleMapsMania for the tip.

Related: For Latest News, Weather, Traffic and much more from any zip code in United States click here.

Bomb Explosion at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India

5 people were killed today (5/18/2007) in a bomb explosion at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India (more at CNN)

Here's a Google Maps View of Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India.

A Place Between US

Check out this cool Google Maps Mashup. What caught my attention was the domain name "a.placebetween.us".

You are in Detroit and your buddy lives in Chicago. You don't want to drive all the way to Chicago. So what do you do?. Head over to a.placebetween.us and enter 1.Your Location 2.Your Buddy's Location and then type in the type of place/business in between Detroit and Chicago you would like to meet. The place in between could be say Coffee place. So you type in Coffee and this cool mashup shows you all the coffee places in between Detroit and Chicago.

India joins the Nuclear Club on this day in 1974

On May 18th, 1974 India conducted its First Nuclear Test Explosion at Pokaran, Rajasthan (Google Maps). At the time it became the sixth nation to have nuclear weapons (the other five were USA, Soviet Union, Britain, China and France).

US Presidential Candidates (2008) on Google Maps

Here's a Google Maps View of United States Presidential Candidates (2008). In addition to basic facts the Google Maps View also includes the latest news on each of the Candidates (via Google News RSS Feeds) along with YouTube video.

Related: US Presidents - their birth places on Google Maps (From George Washington to George Bush)

America's Meanest Drivers

The likelihood of you running into a MEAN Driver in Miami, FL is very high compared to Portland, OR where you rarely might find a MEAN Driver.

AutoVantage is out with the latest ranking of "Road Rage in America". Miami Tops the list whereas Portland, OR was rated as the city where the drivers are most polite and courteous.

Here's a Google Maps View of the 25 cities which were ranked along with a link for "Anger Management" availability in each of the 25 cities.

Mapskrieg = CraigsList Apartment Listing + Google Maps

Mapskrieg is a Google Maps Mashup of Apartment Listing Data from CraigsList. Nice effort by folks at MapsKrieg. (via Switched.Com)

Not so long ago there was another mashup the immensely popular HousingMaps which also combined data from CraigsList with Google Maps and which was at the time a great preview of the WEB to come (now WEB 2.0).

Here's a screenshot from MAPSKRIEG

Global View of Childhood Mortality data from 1990 to 2005

Here's a Google Maps View of Childhood Mortality (per 1000 live births) from 1990 to 1995. Egypt had a -68% biggest drop whereas IRAQ 150% biggest rise in Childhood Mortality Rates (for Children under 5).

Initial Idea for this Google Maps Mashup was from TIME Magazine (May 21st 2007 Issue - page 20) under the title "How Hard Is It to Be a Mom?".
Source for the data is SAVE THE CHILDREN.

Local Reporters for a Pasadena, CA Newspaper based out of India

Pasadenanow.com hired 2 newpaper reporters who are based in India. Their Job Advertisement was as follows:

"We seek a newspaper journalist based in India to report on the city government and political scene of Pasadena, California, USA."

So a reporter in India will cover Pasadena's local street-light contracts and sewer repairs?

So how will the reporters be covering the Rose Bowl Parade? (more on this check out CNN)

Google Maps to help you plan pub-crawling itenararies

Check this cool Google Maps Mashup where you can plan out pub-crawling itenararies in 67 cities in United States from Albuquerque, NM to Worcester, MA. (via LA Times).

Maybe you can help these cities make it to the "America's Drunkest Cities" list.

United States First Transcontinental Rail Road

Promontory Summit, Utah (Google Maps View) is the location where United States First Transcontinental Rail Road was completed. This event occured on this day (May 10th) in 1869

One Hit Wonders

Here's Google Maps View of One Hit Wonders. Source - Forbes, Wikipedia, American IDOL.

Road Rage mapped out on Google Maps

Encountered a road rage incident? then head out to this cool Google Maps Mashup and log in your road rage incident which will then be mapped out. (via GoogleMapsMania)

Look Ma! Indian Dining in Anchorage, Alaska

Someone asked me the other day whether there are Indian Restaurants in Alaska. I said, I was not sure and that let's check out my Dining - Google Maps Mashup page. I typed in Juneau, Alaska (none), then I typed in Fairbanks, Alaska (none), then I typed in Anchorage, Alaska - Wow!! there were 2 Indian restaurants which showed up.

So next time when I visit Alaska I will spice my trip out by visiting those restaurants.

Related: This mashup mentioned at java.sun.com in a article on "server side mashups".

Beijing 2008 Olympics - Torch Relay Path

Here's a Google Maps View of the Beijing 2008 Olympics Torch Relay Path. On the map click on the marker. The Information Window which opens up above the marker, when closed will center the map on to the next location.

America's Top Medical Schools

Here's the updated Google Maps Mashup of "America's Top Medical Schools" with 2007 data from USNews

Will be updating Google Maps Mashup of "Top Business Schools" and "Top Engineering Schools" soon.

World Wide Pirate Attacks mapped

Here's a cool Google Maps Mashup of current World Wide Pirate Attacks.

(Found at Forbes Reporter - David M. Ewalt's Blog)

Google Maps Driving Directions reprogrammed after Oakland Bridge Disaster

Withing 48 hours of Oakland Bridge Collapse, Google engineers have reprogrammed the driving directions with alternate routes. Check the driving directions out from Albany, CA to San Jose, CA

(via WashingtonPost)

Google Maps Mashups from India

Here are couple of Google Maps Mashups from India. (Found at GoogleMapsMania)

Mumbai's (formerly Bombay) suburban rail system. This one takes me down memory lane. I use to take the local trains from Grant Road to Churchgate.

Top 10 Engineering and Medical Colleges of India.

FindMyGhar.com Looking to buy or sell a house in Bangalore, India, then check this mashup out.

Couple of India Related Google Maps Mashups I created:
Looking for a Indian Bride/Groom? I created a Google Maps Mashup last year with data from BharatMatrimony.

Bollywood Best Actors and Actresses

Sachin Tendulkar's Record Breaking Test Centuries.

Twitters of note - 05/01/2007

Here are some of the twitters I ran into yesterday (05/01/2007) at my twitter Google Maps page.

Follow David Hasselhoff



Follow Matt Voerman

San Francisco Traffic

San Francisco commuters face a traffic nightmare after the collapse of a section of bay bridge. This after a traffic accident on Sunday (04/29).

Here's a look at the current traffic conditions in the San Francisco Area on Google Maps. The adjacent image is from the local news Google Maps Mashup I created last year. In addition to traffic this Google Maps Mashup gives you the local news (Google News RSS Feeds), Weather (Yahoo), Movies, Golf courses, Restaurants.