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The New Google Maps

maps.google.com

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Re: The New Google Maps

#71
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Facebook has consistently done the same thing with all of their new features (Graph Search, Timeline, etc). I fail to see why this is so egregious?

It's the disconnect between what Google is (the 800 pound gorilla that can roll out a new product like an appliance manufacturer can roll out a new toaster), and how Google sees itself (the brave disruptive startup launching something cool in private beta). It's the same disconnect that we know from Microsoft, that couldn't see itself as the monopolist they were, because their self-image was still that of the little…

> It's the disconnect between what Google is (the 800 pound gorilla that can roll out a new product like an appliance manufacturer can roll out a new toaster), and how Google sees itself (the brave disruptive startup launching something cool in private beta).

How do you know this? I find this Request a clever way to stagger the release of the update. In case there happens to be any issues then only those who volunteered for the update would be affected, hopefully resulting in slightly higher patience.

Re: The New Google Maps

#73

Google map was the one of the first web applications that revolutionized the web with Ajax. This new Google map could be another one that revolutionize the industry again with WebGL.

Two years ago they had an experimental version of Maps that used WebGL and was much smoother than the current one, but they removed it for some reason: https://support.google.com/maps/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answ...

Re: The New Google Maps

#74
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was really hoping the milktruck would actually collide with structures, but it just clips through them.

I think there is a flag where you can turn it on. In the flight simulator you can crash into buildings. Also, try the grand canyon with the monster milktruck, set aside 5 hours for this.

> In the flight simulator you can crash into buildings.

Eh... not the best feature to be pointing out.

Re: The New Google Maps

#76
post #50
post #38

I feel bad for the Apple maps team - trying to catch up to a fast moving target.

...and Apple Maps is trapped on only one platform (iOS - not even a web gateway), so only receiving a relative trickle of usage-based feedback... and Apple Maps perhaps only ever existed as a leverage chip against Google. Apple Maps might need to ally with other Google rivals to get the mindshare/critical-mass needed to have any competitive chance.

Good point, maybe Apple will let users embed them in web pages and wave any fees for x years. Google and Bing charge after a certain number of free API requests so Apple should offer it for free for a while. It's not like they are hurting for cash ;)

Re: The New Google Maps

#77
post #50
post #38

I feel bad for the Apple maps team - trying to catch up to a fast moving target.

...and Apple Maps is trapped on only one platform (iOS - not even a web gateway), so only receiving a relative trickle of usage-based feedback... and Apple Maps perhaps only ever existed as a leverage chip against Google. Apple Maps might need to ally with other Google rivals to get the mindshare/critical-mass needed to have any competitive chance.

I'm glad Apple has their own maps, the first time I did a search and two pins were dropped, one an ad, was the last time I used Google maps.

Re: The New Google Maps

#79

"Request an invite". Dear god, Google still thinking it's a cute little startup. It really is the Microsoft story all over again.

No, they don't want to open this up to everyone until they can confirm that ad revenue is unaffected by the changes.

That's a very good strategy - testing new features by controlled rollout so that their potential revenue impact can be fully analyzed. Every company that lives on profit should adopt that strategy.

Thanks for point it out.

Re: The New Google Maps

#80
post #41
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Facebook has consistently done the same thing with all of their new features (Graph Search, Timeline, etc). I fail to see why this is so egregious?

They could at least tell you which account has been signed up. Everything's so easy with 1-click, but now that I have multiple accounts signed in at the same time, I have no idea which one requested the invite and I'm going to have to continue to watch _all_ my inboxes... if it has an Android part, which it better, I sure hope I've linked the right account to the invite so that the device can download the app. grumbl…

This and all those other places offering a Google Oauth option prevents me from logging in to multiple accounts on my main browser (Chrome). Although if you do a Google Oauth, it will let you select which email you want to use. I hardly use anything else apart from my personal Apps account, and hence it makes sense to have only a single login on your main browser.
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