Map of the Week: #morethanamap Developer Stories Recap

Last month we launched morethanamap.com to showcase the unique features of the Google Maps API. As part of this project, each week we’ve been featuring stories from our global community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment. We embarked on this journey with a simple thesis: that you could go anywhere any world and find innovative Google Maps API developers doing great things. Last week we ended our journey around the world in São Paulo and we would like to thank all of the developers who were kind enough to share their story with us. That’s why this week, we’re dedicating our “Map of the Week” to the six companies around the world who made this project great.

Moving forward
Now that you’ve had a chance to see how the Google Maps API is being used around the world, we hope that you’ve been inspired to create a Google Maps API powered project of your own. Morethanamap.com is a great place to start to see product demos, but we also have some other great resoruces for developers. Be sure to check our technical documentation at developers.google.com/maps as well as our 3rd party developer showcase at developers.google.com/showcase. You can also engage with the Google Maps API directly on Google+ and StackOverflow.

We’ve also created a short video about what makes morethanamap.com great. In the video below, Luke Mahe, Chris Broadfoot, and Paul Saxman from the Google Maps API Developer Relations team walk us through the technology behind the demos on morethanamap.com.



Before we finish the last entry in the morethanamap blog series, we’d like to thank our featured developers again. We’re proud to share these stories because we recognize that one of the most important parts of the Google Maps API is the community of developers around the world who inspire other developers to do great things.

The Developers

• Sydney, Australia - We met up with GetFlight founder Ian Cumming. GetFlight is airfare search site based that uses the Google Maps API to help users discover cheap airfare to great destinations.
• Bangkok, Thailand - Co-founder of Computerlogy, Vachara Aemavat showed us the projects his team has built such as a store locator for Siam Commercial Bank and a viral maps app that helped people find high ground during the Thai flood seasons.
• Nairobi, Kenya - Mark de Blois and Bernadette Ndege from Upande showed Virtual Kenya which is an online geospatial platform to visualize and share data about Kenya.
• Hamburg, Germany - Ubilabs, a Google Maps focused development shop, showed us some projects they have built for Germany’s largest brands such as Deutsche Telekom, Blitzer.de, and BMW.
• Sao Paulo, Brazil - Epungo founders André Tannús and Rodrigo Hanashiro gave us a tour of their real estate startup at their global headquarters (also known as André’s living room).
• San Paulo, Brazil - We met with Kekanto co-founder, Allan Kajimoto. Kekanto is a popular ratings and recommendations startup based in Sao Paulo that serves all of Latin America.

Below you can view a brief recap of the our journey around the world with Google Maps API developers:



Many thanks again to all the developers for inviting us into their offices, homes, and workspaces and sharing their latest projects with us. Since the start of the Google Maps API, we’ve always been excited to see how people are using maps to make things better and we look forward to the next wave of innovation created by you.

Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager

Map of the Week: Kekanto

[Editors Note: Last month we launched morethanamap.com to showcase the unique features of the Google Maps API. As part of this project, we’ve been featuring stories from our global community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment.]

This week we stay in São Paulo, to meet with one of the co-founders of Kekanto. Kekanto is a local search guide created specifically for users in Latin America who want to explore cities, share opinions and meet new people. What’s really exciting about Kekanto is to see a startup that aims to conquer the Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets first, which is made possible due in part to the coverage and language capabilities in Google Maps. We met up with Allan just as the rapidly growing site was moving into a new (a larger office) in São Paulo.

Kekanto was started when the founders realized that US-based local search guides were not really gaining traction with users when exported to Latin America. To make sure that users connected with a product made for them, Kekanto puts an emphasis on hiring managers on the ground that are native residents of their target cities across Latin America. Sharing a successful formula used by other local guides, the site takes a Google Map centric approach to drive activity on the site. The site also uses the Google Places API to provide local search results.

As a whole the design of the Kekanto site is easy to use and it does a great job of integrating the maps where the need to be, without letting them get in the way. We really like are the ability to view public transit layers directly on the map and the ability to calculate directions on the site as well. Another design feature we like is the use of business photos in the custom marker icons. This is really nice way to identify a business and tie the map back to the listings next to the map.

In the video below, Kekanto co-founder Alan Kajimoto gives us a live demonstration of the site.



Many thanks to the Kekanto team for inviting us into their office and sharing their site with us. To learn more about Kekanto and the things that you can do with the Google Maps API, visit morethanamap.com. We end our journey around the world here in São Paulo and we thank all of the great developers who were gracious enough to share with us their story. Next week we’ll recap the journey as well the launch of morethanamap.com, so stay tuned for our final series installment!

Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager

Map of the Week: Epungo

[Editors Note: Last month we launched morethanamap.com to showcase the unique features of the Google Maps API. As part of this project, each week we’ll be featuring one story from our global community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment.]

This week we cross the equator again, moving from Hamburg to São Paulo, where we meet with the founders of the Brazilian real estate start-up Epungo. Founded by Rodrigo Hanashiro and André Tannús, Epungo is a Google Maps API powered real estate search site that is attempting to make real estate search easy in one of the largest and most complicated cities in the world.

We met up with the founders at their office, which in true start-up fashion, is also André’s living room. In addition to being one of the most innovative Google Maps API sites based in Brazil, what’s really exciting is visiting with two entrepreneurs whose entire focus is on making the best Google Maps based experience for their users.

Epungo was founded when André realized most real estate search sites in Brazil focused on traditional text-based listing. Issues like variable neighborhood definitions, public transit complexities, and high urban density make it nearly impossible to search for real estate using addresses and descriptions alone. The Epungo solution to this problem is to concentrate all the search efforts on a map with a clean, well designed, and easy to use interface. To make search easier users have a several map tools to choose from, such as Drawing Tools functionality, custom colored coded icons, and embedded Street View.

According to the founders, one of the main reasons they chose to develop on the Google Maps API was that the coverage and comprehensiveness of Google’s road data, as well as satellite and Street View imagery in Brazil makes it possible for Epungo to reach markets that would otherwise be impossible.

In the video below, Epungo co-founders Rodrigo Hanashiro and André Tannús give us a live demonstration of their site.



Many thanks to the Epungo team for inviting us into their office (and home) and sharing with us their latest projects. To learn more about Epungo and the things that you can do with the Google Maps API, visit morethanamap.com. Tune in next week to read about our visit with Kekanto.

Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager

Map of the Week: Ubilabs

[Editors Note: Earlier this month we lauched morethanamap.com to showcase the unique features of the Google Maps API. As part of this project, each week we’ll be featuring one story from our global community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment.]

This week we move on from Nairobi to Hamburg, where we met with Ubilabs. In the middle of Hamburg’s old town is a rapidly growing workshop of developers, designers, and business people focused on building the next generation of Google Maps powered applications. Their speciality has been used to build applications for Europe’s largest brands such as Deutsche Telekom, Blitzer.de, and BMW. Below are a few examples built by Ubilabs that showcase great design and community action powered by the Google Maps API.

Crowd-sourcing to Fix Real Estate Problems
In a thriving city, real estate comes at a premium and sometimes people take advantage of that scarcity by mislabeling or misusing available real estate. To combat this problem, Ubilabs was called upon to build Leerstandsmelder.de (or the "Vacancy Reporter") in which users exchange information about the activities of a given property on a Google Map. Users can upload address data, photos, and detailed information here. They can also coordinate their search using Google Street View imagery integrated on the site. The result is that users can pool their collective knowledge to document alleged misuses and use this resource to lobby their local government to take action.

Showcasing a Global Brand
When Deutsche Telekom relaunched their corporate website they used Ubilabs and Google Maps to build a showcase of all of their affiliated companies and holdings worldwide. What makes this map great is that it uses several Google Maps API features to create a customized experience to reflect the corporate identity of Deutsche Telekom. Features like Styled Maps are used to match corporate colors, while custom markers, navigation and info windows complete a distinct identity. What's most unique about this map is the use of Google Maps as both the background and the foreground on the page. The map extends across the entire page with navigational menus floating on top of the map. The design flexibility, speed, and responsiveness of the Google Maps API are part what makes a design like this possible.

In the video below, Ubilabs co-founders Martin Kleppe and Michael Pletziger give us a live demonstration of these great projects.



Many thanks to the Ubilabs team for inviting us into their office and sharing with us their latest projects. To learn more about Ubilabs and the things that you can do with the Google Maps API, visit morethanamap.com. Tune in next week to read about our visit with Epungo in São Paulo, Brazil.

Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager

Map of the Week: Upande’s Virtual Kenya

[Editors Note: Earlier this month we lauched morethanamap.com to showcase the unique features of the Google Maps API. As part of this project, each week we’ll be featuring one story from our global community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment.]

This week we move on from Bangkok to Nairobi where we met with the Upande Ltd team at their office in the home of Mark de Blois. Upande is a development shop in Nairobi, Kenya that provides web mapping and GIS solutions expertise to a diverse range of enterprise, NGO, and public sector clients. Although Upande is relatively small (about 10 employees at the time of our visit), the tightly knit team is creating a big impact around the world with the Google Maps and Google Earth powered Virtual Kenya project.

Virtual Kenya is an online interactive platform designed to allow more Kenyans to use and interact with spatial data in both educational and professional pursuits. Users can view, download, publish, share, and comment on various maps covering topics such as water sanitation, wildlife, or politics. According to Upande the goal of the Virtual Kenya project is to, “promote increased data sharing and spatial analysis for better decision-making, development planning and education in Kenya, while at the same time demonstrating the potential and use of web-based spatial planning tools."

A big part of Virtual Kenya is making the data interactive and visually exciting, while also easy to access. To do this the Upande team uses the Google Earth API which allows them to use 3D map visualization directly on the site. In the screenshot above is an interactive tour that describes Kenya's tourism sector guided by Google Earth. This tour focuses on major attractions, national parks, environmental challenges, and areas that could be used to improve the industry. The full list of Virtual Kenya’s tours cover a variety subjects, such as deforestation, population issues, and threats to wildlife. Beyond the tours, there’s also a list of more Google Maps based mashups that help users learn more about a variety of subjects such as the Turkana Oil Fields, water quality, and aspiring politicians.

In the video below, Upande geo engineer Bernadette Ndege gives a live demonstration of how Virtual Kenya works.



Many thanks to the Upande team for inviting us into their office and sharing with us their latest projects. To learn more about Upande and the things that you can do with the Google Maps API, visit morethanamap.com. You can also see more pictures from our visit to Upande on Google+. Tune in next week to read about our visit with Ubilabs in Hamburg, Germany.

Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager

Map of the Week: Computerlogy’s Thailand Flood map and SCB Bank Finder

[Editors Note: Earlier this month we lauched morethanamap.com to showcase the unique features of the Google Maps API. As part of this, each week we’ll be featuring one story from our global community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment.]

This week we move on from Sydney, Australia to Bangkok, Thailand where we met with Vachara Aemavat, founder of Computerlogy. Computerlogy is a development shop that specializes in building Google Maps powered applications. In addition to building enterprise-class applications, they’ve also donated their time and skills to help their community. Today we’ll focus on two projects from Computerlogy: a Thailand Flood Crisis Response map that uses the Google Elevation API and a store local for Siam Commercial Bank.

Helping people find high ground
During the 2011 monsoon season, severe flooding occurred in and around Bangkok. According to Wikipedia, “Sixty-five of Thailand's 77 provinces were declared flood disaster zones, and over 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi) of farmland was damaged.” As floods ravaged their community, the team at Computerlogy developed a map to help save people’s lives using the Google Elevation API. The Thailand Flood Crisis Response map allowed users to check the elevation of their home (or their family and friends) to determine if they would be affected by the flooding. From there, users shared this information across a variety of channels to alert friends and family who were affected and to offer suggestions of where to go to get out of harm’s way.

Helping people find an ATM
Computerlogy has worked with some of Thailand's biggest companies to build Google Maps powered applications, including the Siam Commercial Bank ATM locator. Some unique features of the map include Styled Maps and custom info windows. Vachara says they choose the Google Maps API for its flexibility and strong data coverage throughout Thailand.

Below you can view a video of Vachara going through a live demonstration of these two great examples of Google Maps API powered apps built by Computerlogy.



A big thanks to Vachara Aemavat, founder of Computerlogy, for inviting us into his office and sharing with us his latest projects. To learn more about Computerlogy and the things that you can do with the Google Maps API, visit morethanamap.com. Tune in next week to read about our visit with Upande in Nairobi, Kenya.

Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager

We’re constantly working to build the most comprehensive, accurate and usable maps in the world for our users--no matter where or how they access Google Maps. While millions of people come directly to maps.google.com to search for a nearby business or get directions, many people around the globe experience Google Maps on their favorite website or application thanks to the Google Maps API (and some very talented developers). In fact, today 800,000 active websites and apps are using the Google Maps API to create interesting and useful experiences for you.

MoreThanAMap.com
To demonstrate the capabilities and features of the Google Maps API, today we’re launching a new website called morethanamap.com. This site showcases the unique features of the Google Maps API and how developers are using it.

Visit morethanamap.com to learn more!

Through morethanamap.com you’ll learn how developers can embed popular Google Maps features like Street View, public transit directions, location data, and advanced data visualization capabilities into their website or app. The interactive demos on morethanamap.com show how these features are ready to be added to any website or app.

Developers can use the Google Maps API to embed Street View imagery into their sites

Even if you’re not a developer, the animated London Heathrow flight map or global population heat map are a fun way to visualize data and explore the power of Google Maps.

Google Maps Developers Stories from Around the World
Morethanamap.com also features stories from our community of developers who are using the Google Maps API to start businesses, help improve their communities or save the environment. Starting next week we’ll showcase these stories weekly on the Geo Developers Blog. And follow us on Google+ to learn more.


With just a backpack and a camera Google Maps team member Carlos Cuesta went on a global tour to video blog six distinct developers who are creating thriving applications with the Google Maps API.

Start exploring what’s possible with the Google Maps API today at: morethanamap.com.

Posted by Ken Hoetmer, Google Maps API Product Manager