SAN FRANCISCO -- Google is looking to generate more personalized online maps.
Beginning Thursday, the Internet search giant is providing free tools designed to make it easy for people to share knowledge about their own neighborhoods or other favorite places.
Users can do that by creating customized maps that can assemble information from a variety of sources. The area is called My Maps.
Map creators will be given the option to make the content public or keep it private. To use the new tools, users must first sign in to Google's service -- the same login used for homepage personalization, Gmail or other tools.
Thousands of hybrid maps, often called "mashups," are already available on the Web, documenting everything from local housing markets to active volcanos.
Google has refined its tools for a mass audience, highlighted by ease of use.
The company hopes the move will generate highly specialized maps that can be stored within its domain.
Google's 2-year-old maps have primarily been used for driving directions and finding businesses. The new applications could help users share insights about their favorite vacation spots, for example, or on a wide range of academic subjects.
No comments:
Post a Comment