Live data from Hacker News

Google Maps is no longer a flat map

techcrunch.com

11–20 of 173 posts

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#11
I wonder what the long term geopolitical consequences will be when we all stop looking at projected maps. That small peninsula to the west of Asia just got a little smaller. A certain island kingdom is now more clearly the size of Uganda. Maybe Google can also flip the globe "upside-down" for all users "below" the equator.

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#12

Looks like this isn't rolled out to everyone. I'm not seeing the 3D version (logged in & incognito).

on my work computer, which is tunneled through san francisco, so i show as in USA, i can see the 3D map.

checking maps on mobile which is on Canadian ISP, in chrome and the google maps android app, i can only see the "flat" map.

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#15

I wonder what the long term geopolitical consequences will be when we all stop looking at projected maps. That small peninsula to the west of Asia just got a little smaller. A certain island kingdom is now more clearly the size of Uganda. Maybe Google can also flip the globe "upside-down" for all users "below" the equator.

There is something weird going on near the poles still, so I'd not be surprised if its technically expensive to make an "upside down" map.

Upside down and mirrored should be simple though.

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#19
post #16

The visualization is really cool but for daily use seems more practical being able to plot long trip routes without them disappearing on the back of the globe than being able to assess the true size of landmasses: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Madrid/Sydney,+New+South+Wal...

I get what you're saying, but I'm not sure if planning trips to the other side of the globe qualifies as "daily use" either :-)

I think it's neat to see that the route is along a great circle -- that wasn't clear at all before this change.

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#20

I wonder what the long term geopolitical consequences will be when we all stop looking at projected maps. That small peninsula to the west of Asia just got a little smaller. A certain island kingdom is now more clearly the size of Uganda. Maybe Google can also flip the globe "upside-down" for all users "below" the equator.

Do we really think very much is really affected by map projections?

Korea looms large in people's imaginations for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with its occupied land mass size, and a lot to do with their history and cultural and economic power.

Post reply on HN