Twenty-first century mapping tools make it very easy for us to navigate anywhere in the world. Back when I was in school, it was already difficult to draw train routes from one city to another. It was such a chore and was only able to connect locations within my native country. Imagine what I went through when I had to draw air routes between different countries. Fortunately today, map applications are available and what used to take a long time only takes a few seconds.
Web mapping APIs makes it very easy to connect one part of the globe to another. But that is just scratching the surface. These days, parents can use system and web mapping API to determine their children’s location. This makes it very easy to track the whereabouts of children no matter where they are, giving parents better security and peace of mind, indeed. Google Maps and Bing Maps are just two of the most useful technological innovations that provide such features.
Let’s take a closer look at Google Map API and explore the many possible applications of this utility:
- The Map API features different map types that people can use for a variety of functions. These are Street View, Image Map, Styled Maps, and45° Imagery, among others.
- Users can designate a common association by adding a number of different objects in various layers.
- Visualisation Library transforms boring raw data into spectacular images.
- Weather Library allows for the addition of cloud imagery and weather forecasts.
- Places Library allows for the quick search of various places inside a bounded area or around a very specific point on the map.
- Panoramio Library gives the user the opportunity to add photo layers to the Maps API.
- AdSense support makes it possible to monetise the user’s Maps.
Now, it is time to delve deeper into the many possible uses of Bing Map API:
- Photosynth gives the Bing Map API user the opportunity to transform digital photographs into huge, wide-screen panoramic views with all the details intact.
- Enhanced Bird’s Eye View feature gives the user the unique and immersive experience of the “what it’s like” perspective. The Enhanced Bird’s Eye View is applicable to real-world locales. Controls allow for panning and zooming in and out of the image.
- Geocoding and Reverse Geocoding functions integrate a selection of geocoders for comprehensive and relevant results.
- Streetside feature allows for exploration at street level. This allows for the user to have that “as if you are standing there” experience.
- Maps can be used to develop mobile apps for various mobile devices including the Apple iPhone.
- The user can get urgent driving and walking directions by using Localized Maps & Directions.
- The user can also zoom in or view a cluster in much greater detail using the Pushpin Clustering feature.
- Canada and US-based users can maximise the Landmark-Based Routing function for directions based on landmarks that are familiar to users (e.g. fast foods, diner, gas stations)
- Bing Maps are overlaid with Traffic Reports. Colour-coded visuals that mark the flow of traffic can be utilised to weave in and out of traffic jams.
Users can download Bing Maps API and Google Maps API implementation guidelines. These are useful resources and references especially for the new users.
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