Map of the Week: Kekanto
[Editors Note: Last month we launched morethanamap.com to showcase the unique features of the Google Maps API. As part of this project, we’ve been featuring stories from our global community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment.]
This week we stay in São Paulo, to meet with one of the co-founders of Kekanto. Kekanto is a local search guide created specifically for users in Latin America who want to explore cities, share opinions and meet new people. What’s really exciting about Kekanto is to see a startup that aims to conquer the Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets first, which is made possible due in part to the coverage and language capabilities in Google Maps. We met up with Allan just as the rapidly growing site was moving into a new (a larger office) in São Paulo.
Kekanto was started when the founders realized that US-based local search guides were not really gaining traction with users when exported to Latin America. To make sure that users connected with a product made for them, Kekanto puts an emphasis on hiring managers on the ground that are native residents of their target cities across Latin America. Sharing a successful formula used by other local guides, the site takes a Google Map centric approach to drive activity on the site. The site also uses the Google Places API to provide local search results.
As a whole the design of the Kekanto site is easy to use and it does a great job of integrating the maps where the need to be, without letting them get in the way. We really like are the ability to view public transit layers directly on the map and the ability to calculate directions on the site as well. Another design feature we like is the use of business photos in the custom marker icons. This is really nice way to identify a business and tie the map back to the listings next to the map.
In the video below, Kekanto co-founder Alan Kajimoto gives us a live demonstration of the site.
Many thanks to the Kekanto team for inviting us into their office and sharing their site with us. To learn more about Kekanto and the things that you can do with the Google Maps API, visit morethanamap.com. We end our journey around the world here in São Paulo and we thank all of the great developers who were gracious enough to share with us their story. Next week we’ll recap the journey as well the launch of morethanamap.com, so stay tuned for our final series installment!
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
The power of places and big data for good: Google Places API Developer Challenge 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
How would you make your community or local government run better? In our first Google Places API Developer Challenge, we’re inviting developers around the world to make something that improves their communities or governments by using the Google Places API and its database of places and tools. The developers of the winning applications will receive a VIP experience at Google I/O 2013.
You might create an app or site that solves health problems, understands crime patterns, or improves commerce. You can use any platform as long as you build with the Google Places API and it benefits your community or government. We’re looking for your best and most innovative ideas.
Built on the comprehensive global database of more than 95 million places that powers Google Maps, the Google Places API enables you to search for information about a variety of nearby places such as establishments, geographic locations and prominent points of interest. You can re-rank place results based on user check-ins, and create new places specific to your app.
To help you develop your ideas and build better apps, we’ve been working with local government officials in Austin, Boston, Chicago, London, Louisville, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland (Ore.), San Francisco, and Seattle along with the White House to surface a wide variety of data sets for your apps. You can find these data sets and more on the Google Places API Challenge site at http://developers.google.com/challenge and hear more about what cities have to say about the challenge here. You can also follow updates and hangouts about the challenge on +Google Maps API.
The submission window opens on August 15th and closes on October 31st, 2012.
We look forward to seeing what can happen when your imagination and the Google Places API come together!
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
You might create an app or site that solves health problems, understands crime patterns, or improves commerce. You can use any platform as long as you build with the Google Places API and it benefits your community or government. We’re looking for your best and most innovative ideas.
Built on the comprehensive global database of more than 95 million places that powers Google Maps, the Google Places API enables you to search for information about a variety of nearby places such as establishments, geographic locations and prominent points of interest. You can re-rank place results based on user check-ins, and create new places specific to your app.
To help you develop your ideas and build better apps, we’ve been working with local government officials in Austin, Boston, Chicago, London, Louisville, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland (Ore.), San Francisco, and Seattle along with the White House to surface a wide variety of data sets for your apps. You can find these data sets and more on the Google Places API Challenge site at http://developers.google.com/challenge and hear more about what cities have to say about the challenge here. You can also follow updates and hangouts about the challenge on +Google Maps API.
The submission window opens on August 15th and closes on October 31st, 2012.
We look forward to seeing what can happen when your imagination and the Google Places API come together!
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
Map of the Week: Map of the Dead
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Map of the Week: Map of the Dead
Why we like it: This map is a highly creative and innovative use of the Google Places API and Styled Maps. Also invaluable tool for a “zombie apocalypse.”
When the impending zombie apocalypse is upon us the first thing you need to do is find shelter and supplies. Naturally, your first choice should be the Anti-Zombie Fortress. Unfortunately, Google does not have one on campus and my facilities requests have gone unanswered. Therefore, if you’re like me you’ll just have to make do with something else. Luckily for the rest us of there’s Map of the Dead.
Map of the Dead is designed to help the living survive the zombie apocalypse by locating the nearest points of interest that are relevant to survival and identify the danger areas. The first thing you need to do to use this invaluable tool is to enter your address. The site uses HTML5 Geolocation to tell where you are, but if you need enter an address manually the Google Places Autocomplete API ensures that an address can be quickly populated automatically, saving precious seconds.
Danger areas are identified on the map using the Styled Maps. Red areas denote where zombies are most likely to roam, while dark areas are typically less populated and therefore less likely to have feeding zombies. After finding shelter, the next most important aspect to surviving the zombie apocalypse is having the right supplies. Using the Google Places API, Map of the Dead displays the most relevant points of interests nearby; such as hospitals, outdoor supply stores, and police stations.
We hope this map has helped you understand how your neighborhood would fare in such a event. Thanks to the developers from Doejo for making this our map of the week!
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
Why we like it: This map is a highly creative and innovative use of the Google Places API and Styled Maps. Also invaluable tool for a “zombie apocalypse.”
When the impending zombie apocalypse is upon us the first thing you need to do is find shelter and supplies. Naturally, your first choice should be the Anti-Zombie Fortress. Unfortunately, Google does not have one on campus and my facilities requests have gone unanswered. Therefore, if you’re like me you’ll just have to make do with something else. Luckily for the rest us of there’s Map of the Dead.
Map of the Dead is designed to help the living survive the zombie apocalypse by locating the nearest points of interest that are relevant to survival and identify the danger areas. The first thing you need to do to use this invaluable tool is to enter your address. The site uses HTML5 Geolocation to tell where you are, but if you need enter an address manually the Google Places Autocomplete API ensures that an address can be quickly populated automatically, saving precious seconds.
Danger areas are identified on the map using the Styled Maps. Red areas denote where zombies are most likely to roam, while dark areas are typically less populated and therefore less likely to have feeding zombies. After finding shelter, the next most important aspect to surviving the zombie apocalypse is having the right supplies. Using the Google Places API, Map of the Dead displays the most relevant points of interests nearby; such as hospitals, outdoor supply stores, and police stations.
We hope this map has helped you understand how your neighborhood would fare in such a event. Thanks to the developers from Doejo for making this our map of the week!
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
Map of the Week: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with Google Maps API
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Map of the Week: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with Google Maps API
Why we like it: This Google Maps API implementation really speaks to the versatility of the API and breadth of the Google Maps API developer ecosystem! From small personal projects to exciting start-ups and high-performance cars, the Google Maps API can be used by everyone.
As you would expect, this top of the line Mercedes-Benz is loaded with all the bells and whistles. The vehicle’s integrated navigation system will be enhanced in certain regions by a fully functional JavaScript Maps API v3 implementation using Styled Maps, Google Places API, Places Autocomplete API, traffic layer, and the Panoramio layer as an Android App for the AMG Performance Media option. This provides the user with a familiar Google Maps interface in addition to the onboard maps from the navigation system.
(Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Coupe at the O’Reilly Where Conference - April 2012)
For night time driving the SLS AMG takes advantage of Styled Maps to create a map that’s easier to view in low-light situations and does not impede a driver’s night vision.
Chances are, if you’re driving this around all day, you’re going to get very hungry. That’s where the Places API integration with Places Autocomplete API comes in handy. Drivers can enter in what they’re looking for it, be it Thai food or pizza and the vehicle will return a list of nearby places along with address, distance, and rating.
Once the Places API has helped you decide what to eat and where you need to go, you can view the destination in Google Street View. In the image below, the system is displaying Street View imagery directly in front of the hotel in San Francisco where the vehicle was located for the 2012 O’Reilly Where Conference. From there you can enter directions that are displayed on a Google Map along with the option to display current traffic.
The engineers at Daimler have done an amazing job of taking Google Maps and combining it with one of the most-loved automobiles. There are many different types of developers in the Google Maps API ecosystem and great implementations like this remind us that the possibilities are almost endless!
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
Why we like it: This Google Maps API implementation really speaks to the versatility of the API and breadth of the Google Maps API developer ecosystem! From small personal projects to exciting start-ups and high-performance cars, the Google Maps API can be used by everyone.
As you would expect, this top of the line Mercedes-Benz is loaded with all the bells and whistles. The vehicle’s integrated navigation system will be enhanced in certain regions by a fully functional JavaScript Maps API v3 implementation using Styled Maps, Google Places API, Places Autocomplete API, traffic layer, and the Panoramio layer as an Android App for the AMG Performance Media option. This provides the user with a familiar Google Maps interface in addition to the onboard maps from the navigation system.
(Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Coupe at the O’Reilly Where Conference - April 2012)
For night time driving the SLS AMG takes advantage of Styled Maps to create a map that’s easier to view in low-light situations and does not impede a driver’s night vision.
Chances are, if you’re driving this around all day, you’re going to get very hungry. That’s where the Places API integration with Places Autocomplete API comes in handy. Drivers can enter in what they’re looking for it, be it Thai food or pizza and the vehicle will return a list of nearby places along with address, distance, and rating.
Once the Places API has helped you decide what to eat and where you need to go, you can view the destination in Google Street View. In the image below, the system is displaying Street View imagery directly in front of the hotel in San Francisco where the vehicle was located for the 2012 O’Reilly Where Conference. From there you can enter directions that are displayed on a Google Map along with the option to display current traffic.
The engineers at Daimler have done an amazing job of taking Google Maps and combining it with one of the most-loved automobiles. There are many different types of developers in the Google Maps API ecosystem and great implementations like this remind us that the possibilities are almost endless!
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
Fab Friday: Autocompleting the week
Friday, February 3, 2012
Author Photo
It’s Fab Friday again! I missed last week, felled by a nasty cold. But you can’t keep Fab Friday down. Just back, I decided to roll out this screencast on Autocomplete in the Places Library of the Google Maps API:
[フレーム]As you can see, there’s a lot you can do with autocomplete.
Continuing my attachment to maps of imaginary places, here’s a map of Skyrim, from the video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The map uses the Google Maps API Custom Map Type to display custom tiles.
I also love tools that allow you to create your own maps, like Harvard World Map. World Map allows you to create a map based on datasets that are provided, and allows you to add your own data layers. You can then embed those maps in other sites or link to them on the World Map site. This example shows population density in China:
[フレーム]Have a good weekend!
Posted by Mano Marks, Maps API Developer Relations Team5 Great Maps... That are just great!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Each month I try to focus on 5 great maps within a certain theme, but this month Google Geo developers have really outdone themselves and I’ve been blown away by a flurry of great new Maps API applications across the board. I’ve been especially impressed by the new uses I’ve seen of Styled Maps, Fusion Tables, and our new Places API.
InstaEarth
Instagram is an exciting photography tool, but what really takes Instagram to the next level are applications like InstaEarth from Modea. InstaEarth is an easy way to search for and discover Instragram users and photos on a map. The application makes use of the Places API with Autocomplete to help users to search around a landmark or address. From InstaEarth, “InstaEarth is a way to discover and view beautiful Instagram photography taken around the world. View your feed, friends' feeds, popular photos, or navigate the map and explore the world through the eyes of Instagrammers everywhere.”
TeleGeography - Submarine Cable Map
When you make a phone call or send an email abroad, most of the time that data travels by way of submarine cables. Submarine cables are the backbone of the global economy, so it’s fascinating to spend time exploring a map that shows where these cables are located. In addition to being a really interesting, fun, and a great looking map, this map is also technically savvy application. Each line representing a submarine cable is clickable and when selected grays out the other cables for better visibility. The map also uses Styled Maps to help the cables stand out better and Fusion Tables to help manage the data on the back-end.
DART St. Louis
There are two things I love to geek out on: maps and photography. That’s why I love this map from DART St. Louis. From their website, “In April 2011 over 250 creative St. Louisans gathered to throw darts at a huge map of the City of St. Louis. Participants then had one month to visit the area where their dart landed and make a photograph. The resulting collection of photographs shows a snapshot of St. Louis as it is today, one random block at a time.”
Berliner Morgenpost - Berlin Elections Map
Last month I wrote a post about a 5 Great Maps from Germany and this month we have yet another great map from Germany. Using Fusion Tables, Berliner Morgenpost mapped out the results of the September 2011 Berlin elections. Voting districts are colored coded by which political party received the majority of votes. Additionally, you can click on any one of the voting districts which will display an infowindow with a chart of the full voting results. This an excellent example of Google Maps API supporting the democratic process and bringing better transparency to government.
Dodge Journey Search
To promote the new Dodge Journey, Dodge is running a competition on YouTube where users can win one of three brand new Dodge Journeys. Video clues are released on YouTube to help users track down the secret location of the vehicle and if they find it, they own it. The clues are related to places in the real world, so users can rely on Google Maps and Places to help them figure out where the car is located. The Maps API serves as the hub of information for this competition and uses Styled Maps to match Dodge branding along with the Places API with Autocomplete to help users follow up on clues.
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Geo APIs Product Marketing Manager
InstaEarth
Instagram is an exciting photography tool, but what really takes Instagram to the next level are applications like InstaEarth from Modea. InstaEarth is an easy way to search for and discover Instragram users and photos on a map. The application makes use of the Places API with Autocomplete to help users to search around a landmark or address. From InstaEarth, “InstaEarth is a way to discover and view beautiful Instagram photography taken around the world. View your feed, friends' feeds, popular photos, or navigate the map and explore the world through the eyes of Instagrammers everywhere.”
TeleGeography - Submarine Cable Map
When you make a phone call or send an email abroad, most of the time that data travels by way of submarine cables. Submarine cables are the backbone of the global economy, so it’s fascinating to spend time exploring a map that shows where these cables are located. In addition to being a really interesting, fun, and a great looking map, this map is also technically savvy application. Each line representing a submarine cable is clickable and when selected grays out the other cables for better visibility. The map also uses Styled Maps to help the cables stand out better and Fusion Tables to help manage the data on the back-end.
DART St. Louis
There are two things I love to geek out on: maps and photography. That’s why I love this map from DART St. Louis. From their website, “In April 2011 over 250 creative St. Louisans gathered to throw darts at a huge map of the City of St. Louis. Participants then had one month to visit the area where their dart landed and make a photograph. The resulting collection of photographs shows a snapshot of St. Louis as it is today, one random block at a time.”
Berliner Morgenpost - Berlin Elections Map
Last month I wrote a post about a 5 Great Maps from Germany and this month we have yet another great map from Germany. Using Fusion Tables, Berliner Morgenpost mapped out the results of the September 2011 Berlin elections. Voting districts are colored coded by which political party received the majority of votes. Additionally, you can click on any one of the voting districts which will display an infowindow with a chart of the full voting results. This an excellent example of Google Maps API supporting the democratic process and bringing better transparency to government.
Dodge Journey Search
To promote the new Dodge Journey, Dodge is running a competition on YouTube where users can win one of three brand new Dodge Journeys. Video clues are released on YouTube to help users track down the secret location of the vehicle and if they find it, they own it. The clues are related to places in the real world, so users can rely on Google Maps and Places to help them figure out where the car is located. The Maps API serves as the hub of information for this competition and uses Styled Maps to match Dodge branding along with the Places API with Autocomplete to help users follow up on clues.
Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Geo APIs Product Marketing Manager