Google to Offer Embeddable Maps
Last week, when writing about Google's MyMaps product, I remarked that it was "odd that Google doesn't allow MyMaps creations to be embedded." Today, APC magazine reports that Google will begin offering maps that are embeddale into web pages within about a week.
"The embedded maps have the full functionality of Google Maps -- they provide satellite view, map view or hybrid view, and users can click and drag the maps around."
As APC points out, this feature will make Google's MyMaps infinitely more useful to small businesses, which will be able to embed custom service maps easily on their web pages. Being able to keep customers on site is a more user friendly solution for business owners, and as I implied in my previous post, embeddable maps will help spread the service virally.
A post at the Google Operating System blog links to a couple of third party services that already offer easy Google Maps embedding, such as My Maps Plus (a map from which is embedded below). It is safe to assume that the future of these services may be in jeopardy unless they can offer functionality beyond what Google has planned.
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that is great!
Damn. Google are executing a flawless strategy with Google Maps right now in terms of driving usage. The developers there are on a roll.
This is exactly what I was looking for last week as we put up our website for a non-profit's local event; We eventually took a screen shot of the map, cropped it and then are linking it to the location in Maps.
This is a great service to any business, any non-profit, consumer who is doing an event, or has any type of visitors. Google benefits as they get much more exposure.
The embeddable concept is something underutilized\overlooked by other players too. An easily embeddable photo gallery, from say Adobe, would have worked wonders for us, as well as Photoshop users.
I have been some development myself and have always struggled with the lack of Google-type interactive maps. If this is not great news...I don't know what is!
Sorry, that should be "I have been doing..."