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New Google Maps stuff
Dec. 10th, 2007 08:43 amGoogle Maps shows the little camera icon indicating street-level views for Boston and Providence, but there don't actually seem to be any supported streets (yet). Curious.
The street-level views are kind of a gimmick, but some of the stuff they've added lately impresses me. I like the integration of SmarTraveler-ish traffic data for some American cities, and the new Terrain view (a physical map with subtle relief shading and more natural features labeled) is elegant.
I get the impression that they're putting more effort into bringing things into the Maps interface than into developing Google Earth, which is probably the right emphasis. Google Earth is an impressive toy but it's inherently kind of tricksy to use. Google Maps is actually useful.
The street-level views are kind of a gimmick, but some of the stuff they've added lately impresses me. I like the integration of SmarTraveler-ish traffic data for some American cities, and the new Terrain view (a physical map with subtle relief shading and more natural features labeled) is elegant.
I get the impression that they're putting more effort into bringing things into the Maps interface than into developing Google Earth, which is probably the right emphasis. Google Earth is an impressive toy but it's inherently kind of tricksy to use. Google Maps is actually useful.