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The official blog for Google Maps

Google Book Search in Google Earth

August 20, 2007

Posted by , we announced a first step

Now when you turn on the "Google Book Search" layer in Google Earth (found in the "Featured Content" folder in the "Layers" menu), you'll see small book icons scattered around the globe. When you click on one of the book icons, a pop-up balloon will display a snippet of text from one of Book Search's public domain books that references that location. You'll also find links to the Google Book Search page for that snippet so that you can learn more about what it has to say about the city or town.

For example, let's say that you're interested in Detroit, Michigan. After flying there in Google Earth, you'll find that one of the book icons is for "The Writings of Thomas Jefferson." Clicking on the book icon brings up the pop-up balloon with the following text snippet:

"With respect to the unfor-tunate loss of Detroit and our army, I with pleasure see the animation it has inspired through our whole country, ..."

page 191

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Labels: Maps Blog

Planning a trip using Google Maps

August 14, 2007

Posted by Thai Tran, Product Manager, Google MapsMappletsWikimapia LayerPragueBooking.com Hotel SearchHotel Modrá RůžeHotels.comOrbitz Hotel Search

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Labels: Maps Blog

Maps for Educators

August 13, 2007

Posted by Liz Xu, Software Engineer, Google MapsDavid Bellel, a semi-retired computer coordinator from the New York City public school system, has created a series of video maps that can be used by social studies teachers to educate kids on the history of various neighborhoods in New York City.

Queen's Jazz Trail -- Homes of Jazz Greats and other notables in Queens, NY.

Famous & Infamous Manhattan: East Village -- A tour based on "A Colorful Walking Tour of New York's Most Notorious Crime Sites" by Andrew Roth.

In David's own words: "I've found in my years as a NYC public school teacher that many kids' knowledge of the city only extends to the 10 square block area of their neighborhoods. Perhaps the creation of libraries of city-wide Quicktime VR movies can provide some help in broadening their horizons."

To learn more about David's work, check out his website.

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Labels: Maps Blog

The 59 Mile Drive

August 8, 2007

Posted by Jess Lee, Product Manager, Google Maps49 Mile Drivehis own version of the 49 Mile Drivemap your own scenic route using the map drawing tools

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Labels: Maps Blog

More Street View Cities

August 7, 2007

Posted by Stephen Chau, Product Manager, Google MapsStreet Viewin Street View

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Labels: Maps Blog

Minnesota Bridge Collapse

August 2, 2007

Posted by Jess Lee, Google Maps product manager35W BridgeRoads closures & detours35W detourUpdate:

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Labels: Maps Blog

How long will it take at rush hour?

August 1, 2007

Posted by Eli Brandt, Software EngineerLet's say you want to leave from Berkeley to catch the sunset from the beach at Half Moon Bay, to relax on the sand and watch the sun sink into the Pacific. We all know Google Maps will tell you how to get there. Now it's better at helping you decide when to leave to catch your sunset on time. When you ask Google Maps for driving directions, the directions say "about 59 minutes". But they also say something new: "up to 1 hour 50 minutes in traffic".

Google Maps now lets you know how long a drive might take in rush-hour traffic, for a limited set of metropolitan areas. Of course, if there is an accident, the drive could take even longer. But more likely than not, your drive to Half Moon Bay will take between 59 minutes and 1 hour 50 minutes.

If sunset today is at 7:00, then you figure you'll catch the tail end of rush hour. You might try a different route to dodge traffic. Drag the blue line off the Bay Bridge and onto 880 instead. Now the estimate is "up to 1 hour 20 minutes in traffic" -- that sounds better.