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June 24, 2008
Google Launches Google Map Maker
How many maps would a mapmaker make if a mapmaker could make maps online?
Google will soon have the answer. Today Google launched Google Map Maker, a new product that enables users to contribute and edit Maps data for regions around the world.
Building a map is a complex process that's made easier by a worldwide geo-wiki.
Google Map Maker promises to be an easy-to-use tool to build high quality maps of neighborhoods, cities and countries. Map Maker allows people to add, edit and moderate most features on maps including roads, lakes, parks, points of interest, businesses, cities and localities. People will be able to trace many of these features using satellite images; as users trace, maps are immediately updated.
Currently it's possible to build maps in Cyprus, Iceland, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Caribbean nations of: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago. The existing mapping data for these countries would benefit tremendously from local knowledge and expertise that users and other map makers possess.
This product is a labor of love by many engineers based in Bangalore who have a desire to see the world mapped. Google has showcased before and after images from the Mapplet created to support relief efforts in Myanmar that was created with Map Maker.
Posted by Kevin Heisler on June 24, 2008 4:39 PM
Comments
Roin June 24, 2008 8:12 PM
If you want to do some mapping you'd be much better off going to http://www.openstreetmap.org/ and contributing to the map there.
Not only is it available worldwide, you also get to use the data afterwards for free, rather than just giving it to Google.
Dave June 26, 2008 5:28 AM
Here's the link since the author didn't include one: http://www.google.com/mapmaker
Matt June 27, 2008 9:41 AM
Very interesting this new tool... but it is not finding my city like I did at Google Maps...
Ruben Zevallos Jr. July 1, 2008 12:54 AM
Google might take this data and then after making sure quality of information is good, might give it for public to use. I tried marking some places. I found it very interesting.
Ricky July 2, 2008 6:37 AM
Hello,
I'm interested in knowing when Google will include former Soviet countries in maps? For example, Georgia is not in Google map.
Thanks.