Wednesday, February 09, 2005 9:04 AM
Well it looks like Google has done it again. Their new Maps feature (still in beta) is a formidable opponent to the other online map offerings. I'm primarily familiar with MSN Maps and Mapquest so I can't comment on all of them, but Google is the best I've seen so far. It has such an uncluttered interface. No ads to be seen at this point. Of course, still being beta might just mean that the ads aren't ready yet, but for now it sure is nice!
I always like how MSN Maps did an instant zoom when you changed map size. It would just scale the bitmap in the browser, then quickly refresh the image panels with the proper resolution. It was a cute trick, but it doesn't come close to Google's resizing map window that actually fills the viewable area minus the controls. Resize your browser and the map instantly adjusts accordingly. Sheer brilliance.
The map itself is rendered beautifully as well. Mapquest and MSN do a so-so job with the rendering providing you with what you are used to seeing. Google anti-aliases the image providing you with a clean smooth image that's very easy on the eyes. Location markers are represented by balloon-style callouts. Click one to bring up a nice popup with the location details. Links to the businesses, or most likely Google search hits accompany them.
Panning in a map has always been a pain. Click the directional controls on the sides of most mapping web sites and then wait for it to refresh. Not with Google Maps. Simply click and drag like you wish you could before! The map smoothly pans, redrawing the new areas while you drag -- you never wait on them. Zooming is accomplished with a plus/minus or a nicely done slider. This is not real-time, requiring you to wait for a refresh, but quick nonetheless.
Google Maps supports finding nearby things, directions, and straight maps. If they open up the tool with Web Service (SOAP) calls, they could be a serious threat to Microsoft's MapPoint product.
Take a look at http://maps.google.com