Maps Platform
Product updates, customer stories, and tips and tricks on Google Maps Platform
Get your users where they need to go on any platform with Google Maps URLs
dinsdag 23 mei 2017
Last week at Google I/O we announced Google Maps URLs, a new way for developers to link directly to Google Maps from any app. Over one billion people use the Google Maps apps and sites every month to get information about the world, and now we're making it easier to leverage the power of our maps from any app or site.
Why URLs?
Maps can be important to help your users get things done, but we know sometimes maps don't need to be a core part of your app or site. Sometimes you just need the ability to complete your users’ journey—including pointing them to a specific location. Maybe they're ready to buy from you and need to find your nearest store, or they want to set up a meeting place with other users. All of these can be done easily in Google Maps already.
What you can do is use Google Maps URLs to link into Google Maps and trigger the functionality you or your users need automatically. Google Maps URLs are not new. You've probably noticed that copying our URLs out of a browser works—on some platforms. While we have Android Intents and an iOS URL Scheme, they only work on their native platforms. Not only is that more work for developers, it means any multi-user functionality is limited to users on that same platform.
Cross platform
So to start, we needed a universal URL scheme we could support cross-platform—Android, iOS, and web. A messaging app user should be able to share a location to meet up with their friend without worrying about whether the message recipient is on Android or iOS. And for something as easy as that, developers shouldn't have to reimplement the same feature with two different libraries either.
So when a Google Maps URL is opened, it will be handled by the Google Maps app installed on the user's device, whatever device that is. If Google Maps for Android or iOS is available, that's where the user will be taken. Otherwise, Google Maps will open in a browser.
Easy to use
Getting started is simple—just replace some values in the URL based on what you're trying to accomplish. That means we made it easy to construct URLs programmatically. Here are a few examples to get you started:
Say someone has finished booking a place to stay and need figure out how to get there or see what restaurants are nearby:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=sushi+near+94043
The
query
parameter does what it says: plugs a query in. Here we've specified a place, but if you do the same link with no location it will search near the user clicking it. Try it out:
click here
for sushi near you.
This is similar to our query above, but this time we got back a single result, so it gets additional details shown on the page:
google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=shoreline+amphitheatre
The
api
parameter (mandatory) specifies the version of Maps URLs that you're using. We're launching version 1.
Or if a user has set up their fitness app and want to try out a new route on their bike:
www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=stevens+creek+trail&travelmode=bicycling&dir_action=navigate
We can specify the
travelmode
to bicycling, destination to a nearby bike trail, and we're done!
And we can also open StreetView directly with a focus of our choice to give a real sense of what a place is like:
www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=pano&viewpoint=36.0665,-112.0906&heading=85&pitch=10&fov=75
The
viewpoint
is a LatLng coordinate we want to get imagery for, and
heading
,
pitch
, and
fov
allows you to specify exactly where to look.
Need more functionality?
Google Maps URLs are great to help your users accomplish some tasks in Google Maps. However, when you need more flexibility, customization, or control, we recommend integrating Google Maps into your app or site instead. This is where our more powerful
Google Maps APIs
come into play. With our feature-rich range of APIs, you can access full functionality and can
control your camera
,
draw shapes on the map
, or
style your maps
to match your apps, brand, or just for better UI. And if you want to go beyond the map we have metadata on
Places
,
images
, and much more.
Learn more
When you're happy to delegate the heavy lifting and make use of the Google Maps app for your needs, Maps URLs are for you. Check out our new
documentation
.
Thank you for using Google Maps URLs and the Google Maps APIs! Be sure to share your feedback or any issues in the
issue tracker
.
Posted by Joel Kalmanowicz, Product Manager, Google Maps APIs
Google Maps and Particle partner to bring location-aware capabilities to IoT devices
dinsdag 16 mei 2017
Posted by Ken Nevarez, Solutions Architect for Google Maps APIs
Particle and Google Maps make it easy for IoT devices to identify their location without the use of a GPS. With a single line of code, a device or sensor dispersed across a network (an IoT edge device) can access Google’s geospatial database of Wi-Fi and cellular networks using the
Google Maps Geolocation API
.
This means you no longer need to invest in expensive and power hungry GPS modules to know the location of their IoT devices and sensors. Alternatively, you can also use Google Maps APIs in conjunction with existing GPS systems to increase accuracy and provide location data even when GPS fails, as it often does indoors.
Particle and Google now provide the whole chain—location aware devices that send context rich data to Google Cloud Platform. When IoT sensors know their location, the information they collect and send back becomes more contextualized, allowing you to make more informed, high-order decisions. By feeding context-rich data back into Google Cloud Platform, you have access to robust set of cloud
products and services
.
Although asset tracking is traditionally built on a foundation that includes GPS, satellite based GPS often fails in dense urban environments and indoors. In these scenarios, GPS signals are blocked by tall buildings or roofs. The Geolocation API is based on cell tower and Wi-Fi signals that continue to operate where GPS fails. This capability allows you to track your assets anywhere, both indoor and out.
In an IoT driven world, you can track more than just location. Additional signals can be critical to your objectives. For example, in the cold supply chain, temperature as well as location are key pieces of data to track in the factory, on the loading dock and in transit. This enables a holistic view of the supply chain and its ability to deliver a high quality product.
With a Wi-Fi enabled product built on the Particle platform, you can use the Google Maps Geolocation API to offer location aware auto configuration. This creates a seamless setup experience, enhanced operation and valuable analytics. Using geolocation your Particle devices can auto configure timezone, tune to available broadcast bands and connect to regional service providers.
For example, location aware window blinds can reference the number of available hours of sunlight and then make informed decision on how to passively heat a room. A smart coffee machine can report back its location allowing your marketing teams to better understand its market penetration and target demographic.
Visit the
documentation
for full directions to enable geolocation on your Particle devices. There are four basic steps to complete:
Get a Google Maps API key enabled for Geolocation.
Flash the Google Maps Firmware on your Particle Devices.
Enable the Google Maps Integration in the Particle Console.
Test it Out!
Google and Particle will be demoing the integration at
IoT World
beginning May 16. Stop by booth #310 near the main hall entrance to see the demo in person or for more information, review our developer
documentation
and get started today.
About Ken:
Ken is a Lead on the Industry Solutions team. He works with customers to bring innovative solutions to market.
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