Firday Fun with Google Maps

Google's World

Spanish illustrator Alejo Malia has created a number of images of a world where Google Maps icons are real physical objects that can be viewed in the landscape. Alejo's illustrations include map markers, Pegman and even information windows.

Map Pin Coasters

Out in the real world, if you search hard enough, you can actually find the influence of Google Maps in the most unlikely places. For example, it could be directly under your glass with these gorgeous looking map marker coasters.

When Meteors Strike

Max Livesey has created a fun little Google Map application that lets you see what any location in the world might look like if it was struck by a meteor. Just enter any location into the search box to see how it might be improved with a meteor crater.

Flight Patterns

Aaron Korbin has used the Google Maps API to display images of flight patterns over North America visualised in color and form. The map allows you to view three different images displaying altitudes, manufacturers and models.

Search Gmail & Docs with Google Mobile App on BlackBerry

In January we updated Google Mobile App for BlackBerry so it can search your on-device email and contacts. Today we’re pleased to announce it can also search the cloud to find items in your Gmail, Google Contacts, and Google Docs.

Here’s a quick example: you've just received an email from a friend who's coming with you on a camping trip this weekend and he's reminded you that you should take a look at the checklist to see what you need to bring along. It's been a while since you created the list, but you can just say 'checklist' to Google Mobile App and find it in your Google Docs in a couple of clicks.

To do this on your BlackBerry you’ll need to start Google Mobile App and log into your Google Account (you’ll only need to do this the first time). Just as with any other query, you can either type or speak to find what you’re looking for.

Search results for "checklist"



Google Docs: Mountain camping checklist

Now that you’re already signed in to your Google Account you can launch web-based apps such as Docs or Reader without having to log in again.

Google takes information security very seriously, so all your Gmail and Google Docs searches are sent over a secure https connection. Your password is never permanently stored on your phone, and your account details are encrypted during transmission.

To download Google Mobile App to your BlackBerry, visit m.google.com. Learn more in ourhelp center.

Excellent flight-tracking layer from FlightWise

FlightWise.com, with some help from Google, has just released a very nice KML that shows thousands of near real-time flights over the United States.

The data is roughly 15 to 20 minutes behind the current time, due to FAA restrictions. However, this is an excellent tool to get a look at all of the current flights in the US.

By hovering on a plane, you can see the flight number and a path of their journey to that point. Clicking on a plane gives you more information about the flight, including an option to view the full path of the flight as a KML tour. Opening the tour will show your plane with a larger red icon, and it will fly the entire path of its journey to that point.

For more information or to try it for yourself, you can:

• Read about it on the Google Lat Long Blog
• Try it using the Google Earth Plug-in
• Download the KML file for use in Google Earth

Fresh imagery from the Four Mile Canyon fire in Colorado

As you may have seen, last week brought a major wildfire to Four Mile Canyon in Boulder, Colorado, with 169 homes and 6,181 acres destroyed.

Similar to their response to the San Bruno fires, Google is releasing as much data as possible, including some brand new imagery of the area.

In addition to the fresh imagery, they helped community members to work together in building acollaborative map to help residents stay informed with the latest information about the fire.

To view the new imagery, simply download this KML overlay and check it out. For more information, you can visit the Google Lat Long Blog.

View Near Real-time Flights over the U.S. in Google Earth

Thanks to our friends at Flightwise.com, we’ve published a new, dynamically updating KML file of commercial flights over the U.S. Turn on the layer to see the current location and altitude of thousands of flights, in near real-time. The KML file is created from data available on the Flightwise website, which they collect from the FAA every few minutes.


Hover over an airplane icon to see the airline, flight number, and up-to-date path.


Clicking an icon yields an information-rich bubble showing more detailed flight information, including estimating arrival time.


And finally, clicking on the “Download flight path” link in the balloon downloads a full KML tourof the flight so you can play back and rewind the flight up to its current position and see where it was at any point in time.

Note that due to FAA restrictions and timing of data pushes, the time of the data displayed will lag by an average of 15 or 20 minutes behind the current time. Nevertheless, we find this layer to be a compelling and fun way to get a snapshot of all the airplanes in the air at any given time over the U.S., all placed at the appropriate coordinates and altitude. Save the layer to your “My Places” panel, keep it checked on, and it will auto-refresh every few minutes. Surely this is the best way to keep up to date on what’s going on in the skies in Google Earth. And don’t call me Shirley. *

* An homage to a classic film.

Twitter: Tweet With Your Location

(This additional service is now being rolled out across the world)

Twitter's Tweet With Your Location feature allows you to selectivelyadd location information to your Tweets. This feature is off by default and you will need to opt-in to use it. You can find out how to start using this feature on the How to Tweet With Your Locationhelp page; this article is an overview of the feature.

Once you've opted-in, you will be able to add your location information to individual Tweets as you compose them on Twitter.com and with other applications or mobile devices that support this feature. The location information that is shared publicly can be either your exact location (your coordinates) or your place (like a neighborhood or town).

Tweeting with your place or coordinates can add context to your updates and help you join the local conversation, wherever you are.

Helpful links for Your Questions:

How do I tweet with my location?

http://support.twitter.com/articles/122236

http://support.twitter.com/articles/78525-about-the-tweet-with-your-location-feature


This service was first introduced in November 2009 [USA only] via the twitter api, now this is available in users settings (off by default).

Most likey because FaceBook Places has been rolled out globally too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11342802