How Google Maps Works / / No Comments Google Maps Explained is an awesome walkthrough that breaks down how Google Maps figures out the best route when you ask for directions. The star of the show is Geo, a cute little green guide who walks you through the behind-the-scenes magic that makes Google Maps so smart. At the heart of Google Directions is some seriously clever tech – powerful pathfinding algorithms. These are Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: Google, maps, works
The Google Maps Platform Awards Winners / / No Comments Google has announced the winners of the very first Google Maps Platform Awards. The awards were launched to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of the Google Maps API and were open to anyone who has used the Google Maps Platform over the past two decades.As one of the judges for the competition, I can attest to the overall quality of the maps submitted. Winners were named in 10 Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: Awards, Google, maps, Platform, Winners
Using AI to Search Maps / / No Comments The magnificent David Rumsey Map Collection now has an AI Search Assistant that can help you find maps, learn more about individual maps, and even query specific elements within maps.The David Rumsey Map Collection is one of the largest online collections of maps, and its new AI Search Assistant is a fantastic resource. It not only helps you search and discover maps in the collection Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: maps, search, using
The Google Maps Platform Awards / / No Comments To mark two decades of mapping innovation, Google has announced the Google Maps Platform Awards, a new program created to celebrate the developers and innovators who have shaped the digital mapping landscape over the past 20 years. For those who build with geospatial tools, APIs, and data this is your opportunity to showcase your best work.Google aims to recognize the impact that developers have Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: Awards, Google, maps, Platform
Free TV & Radio Maps / / No Comments tvgarden is an interactive map that brings the world of live television to your fingertips. Inspired by the long running success of Radio Garden (which allows users to explore global radio stations through an interactive 3D map,) tvgarden applies the same concept to television, offering a seamless and engaging way to watch live TV from around the world.Features and User ExperienceOne of Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: free, maps, Radio
Los Angeles Wildfire Maps / / No Comments Five wildfires are currently burning in Los Angeles. At the time of writing, three of the fires remain uncontained. So far, the fires have claimed at least five lives, and 137,000 people have been evacuated. Over 1,000 structures, including many homes, have also been lost. The Los Angeles Time’s California Widlfires Map uses data from CalFire, the National Interagency Fire Center, and the Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: Angeles, maps, wildfire
More 2024 Maps of the Year / / No Comments On New Year’s Day, I posted the Maps Mania round-up of the 2024 Year in Maps. I am not the only one who has spent time exploring the best maps of 2024. The Global Investigative Journalism Network’s Top 10 Data Journalism Projects of 2024 included maps from Hungary’s Atlo, Japan’s Nikkei, and Germany’s netzpolitik. Danube Warming Up Atló’s Danube Warming Up uses a Mapbox story-map Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: 2024, maps, More, year
Even More Scrambled Maps / / No Comments Scrambled Maps In September I released a new daily map challenge called Scrambled Maps. TripGeo then enhanced my original game by introducing options to define the number of map tiles and to play with random cities. Scrambled Maps has since become TripGeo’s most popular game. For instance, just yesterday, it was played over 1,000 times by people across the globe.TripGeo’s Scrambled Maps has Maps Mania… more → Posted in: Interactive Maps Tagged with: Even, maps, More, Scrambled