Google Mapplets - the poor man’s GPS?

As a developer, seeing what Google is continually doing with its Google Maps products is always interesting. I still remember when they first started - 8 February 2005. Google Maps was the first major application that relied really heavily on AJAX. The ability to download grid squares on the fly was pretty amazing and it set the bar quite high for all other map-related websites. If that was not enough, they keep adding to its functionality, constantly enhancing user experience and, in the process, working to keep users loyal. Their latest change, Google mapplets, has been the most intriguing to me so far. The possibilities with it are truly endless.

According to the Google website Mapplets are mini applications that you can embed within the Google Maps site.

For me, while I thought the initial offering from Google Maps was fantastic, letting people integrate their own applications onto it makes it even better. The avenues opened up by this functionality are literally limitless. Imagine if the big real estate sites, such as Realestate.com.au, could integrate their existing system with Google maps to better show where new properties houses and apartments are for sale. Prospective buyers could then use other third party tools to gather information about travel routes, bus stops, school zones and a whole lot more. The user experience of a total package like this would be absolutely amazing!

On a much smaller scale, you could use Mapplets to let friends and family know about overseas holidays, favourite spots, walking tracks etc. With 3G phones becoming more commonplace, wham! Right there you have a “poor man’s GPS system”.

Hey! Maybe that’s something else they have in the pipeline - a Google-powered Personal Positioning System!