Here comes "SatLav" - A Toilet Locator Service in London, UK

Remember "SatNav" - a service to help lost drivers. Here comes "SatLav". Reuters is reporting that city of Westminister (London, UK) has launched a new mobile phone text message service which will guide londoners and tourists to the nearest public lavatory. Not mentioned here is the mapping tool which might be used to guide you to the nearest lavatory. More than likely this will show up on Google Maps Mobile.

This from Westminister City website

Text TOILET to 80097 to locate your nearest public toilet.

Out all day Christmas shopping in the West End? Heading home after one too many festive drinks? Children desperate for the toilet?

We’ve all been caught short out and about. But in Westminster you don’t have to be any more.

Every year 10,000 gallons of urine is at risk of ending up in the city’s streets and alleyways through irresponsible and anti-social behaviour.

We’ve launched an innovative new service so that you can locate your nearest public convenience in Westminster 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Just text the word "toilet" to 80097 and you will be texted back with the location and opening hours of your nearest public toilet.

Countries with Nuclear Weapons

I was reading a Newsweek Magazine (dated July 9th, 2007) titled "181 Things you need to know now". One of the things you need to know is "Where the Nukes are Now". Here's a Google Maps View of the "Countries with Nukes" with information on Strategic Weapons, Stockpile, Megatons and Total Military Budget. I have also added information on approximate size of destructive power (in terms of number of Hiroshima's) each country possesses.

"Vision" Maps Mania

First there was TwitterVision, then there was FlickVision and then there was WikipediaVision and now there is UKPropertyVision Google Maps Mashup.

The latest "vision" Google Maps Mashup called UKPropertyVision taps into Nestoria API. This quote from Nestoria Blog on UK Property Vision Mashup:

For you property addicts out there, welcome to paradise. Kick back, grab a glass of something nice, and just let the homes dance across the screen on Google Maps.

Rock Star's home "Burned to Crisp" in Malibu Fires

Both LA Times and CNN is reporting that Flea who is a bassist for the group Red Hot Chili Pepper, has lost his home in Malibu Fires. Flea whose real name is Michael Balzary describes it this way - His home has been "Burnt to Crisp". This home was up for sale and was listed for $4.8 million at Pritchett-Rapf.

Take a look at the terrain in Google Earth (also view in Google Maps) where this home was sitting. This home must have burnt out real quick.

Albert, Texas sold on eBay for $3.8 million

Albert, Texas is a town 16 miles southeast of Fredericksburg and 1 mile west of the Blanco County line in southeastern Gillespie County, Texas.

Bobby Cave, owner of the town of 13 acres put it up for sale on eBay with a reserve price of $2.5 million.

CNN is reporting that someone in Italy placed the winning bid of $3.8 million on Friday in an online auction for an unpopulated, one-house Texas town. (Click for Google Maps View and eBay Listing image)

Wildfires threaten homes near Malibu, California

CNN is reporting that

A fast-moving wildfire destroyed more than a dozen homes and was spreading through the canyons and hills above Malibu, California, today, forcing dozens of residents to flee ahead of the flames.

Here's a view in Google Earth of the General Vicinity of the Wildfires (location source: LAFD). (Also view in Google Maps).

Have a Happy Thanksgiving - 2007

UPDATE: This Google Maps Mashup featured in Mike Pegg's Google Maps Mania and John Musser's ProgrammableWeb
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from MIBAZAAR. On this occasion I have put together Google Maps showing:

• Cities and Towns in USA called "TURKEY"
• Cities and Towns in USA which claim to be "TURKEY CAPITAL OF USA/WORLD"
• Cities and Towns in USA named "PLYMOUTH"
• Cities and Towns in USA named "CRANBERRY"

World's Priciest Cocktail at $51,200

Forbes has come out with a list of World's Priciest Cocktails. The most expensive cocktail priced at $51,200 named "DAZZLE" is available at 2nd Floor Bar, Harvey Nichols, Manchester, U.K. For a Google Maps view of the DAZZLE and the rest of the priciest cocktails click here.

What's so great about "DAZZLE"

This brew has rose Champagne and strawberry and lychee liqueur. But the real buzz comes from the18-karat white-gold ring with pink tourmaline and diamond stones nestled below all that booze. Security guards accompany your server as your drink is presented, and you can keep your ring in a safe next to the bar if you're planning on imbibing a few more--less expensive--drinks.

World Map at General Motors Plaza, Detroit, MI

Here's a Google Maps Satellite view of World Map carved in Granite at General Motors Plaza, Detroit, MI (right by the Detroit River). This World Map shows (not visible on Google Maps) General Motors Facility Locations World Wide.

Wait a second! If you think this is cool, then take a look at what folks in Dubai, UAE have done. They have created a World Map out of sand dredged from sea. This world map is a cluster of 300 islands. Here's a Google Earth View of the "World Map" in Dubai, UAE (also view in Google Maps).

From Notorious Jail to Luxury Hotel

The Old Charles Street Jail in Boston, MA has been transformed into a Luxury Hotel. The new luxury hotel called "Liberty Hotel" will cost guests anywhere between $319 a night to $5,500 for a presidential suite.

This from Wikipedia

Over the years, the jail has housed a number of famous inmates including James Michael Curley, Sacco and Vanzetti, suffragists imprisoned for protests when President Woodrow Wilson visited Boston in 1919, and World War II prisoners from the German submarine Unterseeboot 234.

In 1973, the US District Court ruled that the jail violated the constitutional rights of the prisoners housed there, though the prison did not officially close until 1990. On Memorial Day of that year, prisoners were moved to the new Suffolk County Jail built on Nashua Street.

(more at CNN)

World Carbon Dioxide emissions Mapped!

Carma.org has come out with a impressive Google Maps Mashup of Carbon Dioxide emissions around the world. Leading the list is United States followed by China, Russia and India. The Carma (Carbon Monitoring for Action) website has also mapped out Power Plants and Power Companies which are responsible for Carbon Dioxide emissions.

Do check this website out. This site has been mentioned by BBC and CNN in addition to other media outlets.

Cyclone Sidr

A Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Sidr, battered Bangladesh with wind speeds of up to 250 km/h, with gusts of 305 km/h.

BBC is reporting that scores have died as the cyclone roared through Bangladesh

Officials have warned that the death toll could rise and that the extent of the damage is still unclear.

Here is a NASA image of Cyclone Sidr which I have attempted to overlay on Google Earth.

Major Earthquake strikes Northern Chile

UPDATE: MAJOR AFTERSHOCKS REPORTED (CNN)
A major earthquake of the magnitude of 7.7 has struck Northern Chile. There have been widespread damage reported (more at CNN and BBC).

Here's Google Earth View (also view in Google Maps) of the Pedro Galleguillos tunnel which collapsed and where atleast 50 people were trapped. The Pedro Galleguillos tunnel is approx 2,600-foot (793-meter) long and located about 8.5 miles (14 km) north of Tocopilla, Chile.

Binge Drinking in America

United Health Foundation has a report out there titled "America Health Rankings - 2007". One of the component in the rankings is "Binge Drinking at the State Level". Here's a Google Maps View of percentage of adult population "Binge Drinking".

Binge Drinking is defined as "males having five or more drinks and females having four or more drinks on one occasion."

Wisconsin leads the nation in "Binge Drinking" where 24.2% of adult population do "Binge Drinking". Compare Wisconsin to Tennessee where 8.5% of adult population do "Binge Drinking". Compared to previous year Delaware recorded the largest increase in "Binge Drinking". In Delaware "Binge Drinking" increased from 15.6% to 19.0%. The National average is 15.3%.

Related: America's Drunkest Cities

Geography Awareness Week - Asia: Continent of Contrasts

Google LatLong Blog reports that they (Google) have

teamed up with My Wonderful World, a National Geographic-led campaign for geographic literacy, to give students, parents and geography enthusiasts a look at "Asia: Continent of Contrasts" during Geography Awareness Week. Held annually during the third week of November, Geography Awareness Week is an initiative to create awareness of the people, places and diversity of a specific world region.

Each year the Geography Awareness Week focuses on different theme. This year's theme is "Asia: Continent of Contrasts".

My Wonderful World takes you on a Tour of Asia in Google Earth where you can learn more about Asia's Culture and Natural Wonders. Here's a Google Earth Link which takes you on a tour of Asia where you can learn about its Festivals and Celebrations.

Environmental Disaster near Black Sea

A powerful storm battered the Black Sea and Azov Sea region which resulted in (via and via)

four ships sinking, including an oil tanker, and four others are in danger of breaking up.

Up to 2,000 metric tons of fuel oil have leaked from the tanker in the Kerch Strait, which links the two seas.

A big clean-up operation is now under way, amid fears of an environmental disaster in the area.

At least two other ships were carrying potentially hazardous cargos when they sank, including nearly 6,000 tons of sulphur.

Google Maps view of the disaster location:

How much Carbon Dioxide does your flight produce?

Ever wondered how much you are contributing to Global Warming when you take that flight to see a loved one, attend a business meeting?

TerraPass has created a Google Maps Mashup to show you how much CO2 your flying puts in the air. Just key in your Departure Airport and Arrival Airport and the mashup will calculate the total CO2 for your round trip flight. (via)

The image belog shows CO2 emissions per passenger on a round trip flight from Detroit to San Diego.

Google Earth adds Weather Layer

Google LatLong Blog reports that Google Earth has been updated with Weather Layer. In the layers panel you will now see a "Weather" Folder which has 3 sub layers ("Clouds," "Radar," and "Conditions and Forecasts").

Here's a image from Google Earth showing Cloud cover over Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Indiana, Ohio.

Hollywood Shoots around Los Angeles Mapped!

Los Angeles resident Dave Bullock has created a Google Maps Mashup which shows the locations of current television, film and commercial shoots on the streets of Los Angeles. This mashup in addition to providing info to Los Angeles residents about where film shoots are taking place is also proving to be a handy tool for picketers and striking scribes eager to disrupt sets. (via)

Google Maps - Coming to a Gas Station Near You

Google LatLong Blog reports that very soon Google Maps will be available at Gas Stations across United States. This will help you find local businesses and also get directions. Quote from the post:

In the same way that we worked with Jet Blue and Virgin America to provide Google Maps on their flights, we want to make sure people can access the power of Google search whenever and wherever they need it.

And if we can improve a family vacation or two along the way, so much the better!

Journey from Refugee Camps in Africa to Princeton University

This is a remarkable story of Abass Hassan Mohammed. His journey starts in Somalia where he was born and then continues to refugee camps in North Eastern Kenya where he received his high school education. His academic achievements in High School leads to an acceptance at Princeton University. (more at NEWSWEEK).

I have tried my best to Google Map Abass Hassan's journey.

Know Thy Neighbor

Rotten Neighbor is a Google Maps Mashup of Rotten Neighbors. So before buying real estate check out this Google Maps Mashup to see if the property you are buying is sitting next to rotten folks.

Or you can help the community in general by adding information on Rotten Neighbors you come across. The adjacent image shows a couple in Chicago who don't have money to invest in blinds or....(via)

Find Wii Friends with MapWii.com

MapWii.com is a Google Maps Mashup of unique 16 digit Wii (video game console by Nintendo) Number. This quote from MapWii.com website (FAQ):

MapWii.com helps you find Wii Friends for your Wii Address Book. First, register your Wii at this site. Then, browse the maps for Wiis you would like to exchange information with. When you find a Wii you like, simply click the "Request" button, then "Yes", and MapWii.com will send an email to this user with instructions how to add your Wii Number to their Wii Address Book. You will also be emailed a reminder email to add their Wii Number to your Wii Address Book. Once you have added their Wii Number to your Wii Address Book, and if they add your Wii Number to their Wii Address Book, you will be able to send messages to each other with your Wiis.

MapWii.com has 21000+ members already registered worldwide. I was looking at the state of Michigan which has 300+ members registered. Its amazing how fast the markers got loaded.

Pakistan Declares State of Emergency

Pakistan today declared a State of Emergency. Quoting CNN:

Musharraf issued a provisional constitutional order proclaiming the emergency and suspending the nation's constitution, according to a statement read on state television.

BBC is reporting that Pakistani Troops have surrounded the Supreme Court and

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who condemned the moves, has reportedly been sacked and is being confined to the Supreme Court with 10 other judges.

Fly to Pakistan Supreme Court, Islamabad, Pakistan in Google Earth:

New High Resolution Imagery for Washtenaw County, MI

High Resolution Imagery is now available for Washtenaw County, MI on Google Maps and Google Earth. (via)

Here are couple of images in Google Maps from around Washtenaw County, MI

Google Maps View of Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, MI.



Google Maps View of University of Michigan Football Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI.



Google Maps View of Eastern Michigan University Football Stadium

Real-Time polling on Google Maps

Yesterday it was WIKIPEDIAVISION and today there is another killer mashup to report. It is ASK500People. What is this mashup about?. Quoting the authors

We built Ask500People to gather input and opinion data in minutes instead of days, and to create a platform that other applications can integrate.

Here is how it works. You pose your poll question. It gets voted upon. The top vote getter's poll question is mapped and it gets voted upon with results and voting locations shown in real-time on Google Maps.

At the time I was looking at the site the poll question was "What will you do with the majority of your child's candy?". Majority wanted their Child to eat it all. I was in the minority, I wanted to trash it. Do check this mashup out. It is A+ mashup. (via)