When a user searches for a business, the results are downloaded in the background for insertion into the side panel and map; the page is not reloaded. A hidden iframe with form submission is used because it preserves browser history. Like many other Google web applications, Google Maps uses JavaScript extensively.116 The site also uses protocol buffers for data transfer rather than JSON, for performance reasons.
Google Maps
As of 2007, Google Maps was equipped with a miniature view with a draggable rectangle that denotes the area shown in the main viewport, and “Info windows” for previewing details about locations on maps.16 As of 2024, this feature had been removed (likely several years prior). In May 2018, Google announced major changes to the API structure starting June 11, 2018. This change consolidated the 18 different endpoints into three services and merged the basic and premium plans into one pay-as-you-go plan.44 This meant a 1400% price raise for users on the basic plan, with only six weeks of notice. This caused a harsh reaction within the developers community.45 In June, Google postponed the change date to July 16, 2018.
Ratings and reviews
Restrictions have been placed on Google Maps through the apparent censoring of locations deemed potential security threats. In some cases the area of redaction is for specific buildings, but in other cases, such as Washington, D.C.,126 the restriction is to use outdated imagery. Apple (AAPL) stock’s year-to-date performance is inching into the green, but the iPhone maker still lags behind its Big Tech peers.
Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide. The company offers iPhone, a line of smartphones; Mac, a line of personal computers; iPad, a line of multi-purpose tablets; and wearables, home, and accessories comprising AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, and HomePod. It also provides AppleCare support and cloud services; and operates various platforms, including the App Store that allow customers to discover and download applications and digital content, such as books, music, video, games, and podcasts, as well as advertising services include third-party licensing arrangements and its own advertising platforms. The company serves consumers, and small and mid-sized businesses; and the education, enterprise, and government markets.
Supporting Women’s Rights
The Google Maps terms and conditions120 state that usage of material from Google Maps is regulated by Google Terms of Service121 and some additional restrictions. Google has either purchased local map data from established companies, or has entered into lease agreements to use copyrighted map data.122 The owner of the copyright is listed at the bottom of zoomed maps. Street maps in China are leased from AutoNavi.123 Russian street maps are leased from Geocentre Consulting and Tele Atlas. On April 19, 2011, Map Maker was added to the American version of Google Maps, allowing any viewer to edit and add changes to Google Maps. This provides Google with local map updates almost in real-time instead of waiting for digital map data companies to release more infrequent updates.
Google Maps in China
Needham & Company senior media and internet analyst Laura Martin takes a closer look at Apple’s position and what’s driving investors to the stock as the company struggles to find its footing on artificial intelligence (AI). To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination.
- In May 2018, Google announced major changes to the API structure starting June 11, 2018.
- A hidden iframe with form submission is used because it preserves browser history.
- The company serves consumers, and small and mid-sized businesses; and the education, enterprise, and government markets.
- Like many other Google web applications, Google Maps uses JavaScript extensively.116 The site also uses protocol buffers for data transfer rather than JSON, for performance reasons.
Lens in Maps
- On May 25, 2007, Google released Google Street View, a feature of Google Maps providing 360° panoramic street-level views of various locations.
- Restrictions have been placed on Google Maps through the apparent censoring of locations deemed potential security threats.
- When a user searches for a business, the results are downloaded in the background for insertion into the side panel and map; the page is not reloaded.
- As of 2007, Google Maps was equipped with a miniature view with a draggable rectangle that denotes the area shown in the main viewport, and “Info windows” for previewing details about locations on maps.16 As of 2024, this feature had been removed (likely several years prior).
- On April 19, 2011, Map Maker was added to the American version of Google Maps, allowing any viewer to edit and add changes to Google Maps.
By 2013, it was found to be the world’s most popular smartphone app, with over 54% of global smartphone owners using it.8 In 2017, the app was reported to have two billion users on Android, along with several other Google services including YouTube, Chrome, Gmail, Search, and Google Play. Within China, the State Council mandates that all maps of China use the GCJ-02 coordinate system, which is offset from the WGS-84 system used in most of the world. Google.cn/maps (formerly Google Ditu) uses the GCJ-02 system for both its street maps139 and satellite imagery.140 google.com/maps also uses GCJ-02 data for the street map, but uses WGS-84 coordinates for satellite imagery,141 causing the so-called China GPS shift problem. The feature uses predictive modelling and neural radiance fields to scan Street View and aerial images to generate composite 3D imagery of locations, including both exteriors and interiors, and routes, including driving, walking or cycling, as well as generate synchronous information and forecasts up to a month ahead from historical and environmental data about both such as weather, traffic and busyness. On May 25, 2007, Google released Google Street View, a feature of Google Maps providing 360° panoramic street-level views of various locations. In July 2009, Google began mapping college campuses and surrounding paths and trails.
Users who are logged into a Google Account can save locations so that they are overlaid on the map with various colored “pins” whenever they browse the application. These “Saved places” can be organized into default groups or user named groups and shared with other users. It previously automatically created a record within the now-discontinued product Google Bookmarks. As the user drags the map, the grid squares are downloaded from the server and inserted into the page.
Real time traffic updates
Google Maps began as a C++ desktop program developed by brothers Lars and Jens Rasmussen, Stephen Ma and Noel Gordon in Australia at Where 2 Technologies. In October 2004, the company was acquired by Google, which converted it into a web application. After additional acquisitions of a geospatial data visualization company and a real-time traffic analyzer, Google Maps was launched in February 2005.2 The service’s front end utilizes JavaScript, XML, and Ajax. Google Maps offers an API that allows maps to be embedded on third-party websites,3 and offers a locator for businesses and other organizations in numerous countries around the world. Google Map Maker allowed users to collaboratively expand and update the service’s mapping worldwide but was discontinued from March 2017. However, crowdsourced contributions to Google Maps were not discontinued as the company announced those features would be transferred to the Google Local Guides program,4 although users that are not Local Guides can still contribute.
Between 2020 and 2025, a number of changes were made to the mobile version of Google Maps that reoriented the app’s original purpose of navigation, wayfinding, and exploration towards social visibility, gamified presence, and performance. These changes include the ability to follow Local Guides, follow restaurants and businesses, the ability to earn points and badges for leaving reviews, the addition of a “Latest in the Area” feed displaying nearby landmarks, hotels, and user generated content, that now opens automatically upon starting the app by default as of 2025, and the ability to leave reactions on user submitted photos. Google Maps first started as a C++ program designed by two Danish brothers, Lars and Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, and Noel Gordon and Stephen Ma, at the Sydney-based company Where 2 Technologies, which was founded in early 2003. The program was initially designed to be separately downloaded by users, but the company later pitched the idea for a purely Web-based product to Google management, changing the method of distribution.9 In October 2004, the company was acquired by Google Inc.10 where it transformed into the web application Google Maps. In March 2011, indoor maps were added to Google Maps, giving users the ability to navigate themselves within buildings such as airports, museums, shopping malls, big-box stores, universities, transit stations, and other public spaces (including underground facilities). Google encourages owners of public facilities to submit floor plans of their buildings in order to add them to the service.100 Map users can view different floors of a building or subway station by clicking on a level selector that is displayed near any structures which are mapped on multiple levels.
It distributes third-party applications for its products through the App Store. The company also sells its products alvexo through its retail and online stores, and direct sales force; and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and resellers. Google Maps for mobile devices was first released in 2006; the latest versions feature GPS turn-by-turn navigation along with dedicated parking assistance features.