Over ten years ago, we wrote our first post on our Geo Developers blog, and today we’re sharing our new location for the Google Maps Platform blog. Our new home will continue to provide the latest Google Maps Platform product news, how to tutorials, perspectives and customer stories that you’re used to, all available on a new, mobile-friendly platform. The new blog also designed to make it easier for you to find exactly what you’re looking for. What’s not new is our goal: to provide you with straightforward, technical content to show you how to build your solutions with Google Maps Platform. T ..read more

Posted by Ethan Welty, Co-founder, Falling Fruit Editor’s note: Today’s post comes from Ethan Welty, Co-founder of Falling Fruit, a nonprofit that helps city dwellers harvest for food in their neighborhoods. Falling Fruit’s global map marks locations in 111 countries, and its website and mobile apps have been accessed by nearly 1 million people. Falling Fruit was able to access Google Maps Platform through Google for Nonprofits to build its global map.&nbsp Learn more about the products and resources available through Google for Nonprofits.   We don’t typically think of cities as ..read more

Posted by Simon Banton, “Hengemaster,” Stonehenge Barrow Map Editor’s note: Today’s post comes from Simon Banton: software professional, Stonehenge enthusiast, and creator of the Stonehenge Barrow Map. With Google Maps Platform products and some help from the Google developer community, Banton built his map in just a few days, compiling the data and adding richer details in his spare time. Discover how you can start using Google Maps Platform to visualize your passion projects. My journey into mapmaking started when I came across a 200-year-old reference to an oddly deformed, 5,500-year-old ..read more

Posted by Alison Cohen, Senior Director of Programs, WhyHunger Editor's Note: Today’s blog is the first in a series of posts highlighting our support for Google public programs. Eligible nonprofits, startups, crisis response, and news media organizations may apply for Google Maps Platform credits through Google for Nonprofits, the Google Cloud Startup Program, Google Crisis Response and the Google News Initiative. This post comes from Alison Cohen, Senior Director of Programs for WhyHunger. The nonprofit helps communities develop sustainable solutions for ending hunger and poverty. WhyHunger ..read more

Posted by Amit Litsur, Product Manager, Google Maps Platform Google is committed to supporting organizations with public programs that provide access to our products, people and resources. We're proud to support organizations like Code.org, Charity:water, Hostelling International and more to connect people to resources and help visualize the impact their organizations are making in the communities where they serve. Charity:water created a new way for donors to view exactly where their dollars go With our recent launch of Google Maps Platform, in addition to nonprofits, we’re now able ..read more

Posted by the Google Maps Platform team On May 2, we announced changes including our new simplified Maps, Routes, and Places products as well as a new pricing plan to make our products easier to use and more scalable as you grow. Here’s a quick reminder of the three steps you need to take prior to June 11: Set up a Google Cloud Platform Console account with your billing information. Ensure that you are using a valid API key to access our core products. Try the new features and learn more about how to optimize your API usage in our Optimization Guide. To provide you with an additional mont ..read more

Posted by the Google Maps Platform team It’s been thirteen years since we opened up Google Maps to your creativity and passion. Since then, it's been exciting to see how you've transformed your industries and improved people's lives. You’ve changed the way we ride to work, discover the best schools for our children, and search for a new place to live. We can’t wait to see what you do next. That’s why today we’re introducing a series of updates designed to make it easier for you to start taking advantage of new location-based features and products. We’re excited to announce Google Maps Platfo ..read more

Posted by Clementine Jacoby, Product Manager, Google Maps APIs The mobile gaming landscape is changing as more and more studios develop augmented reality games. In order to mix realities, developers first need to understand the real world — the physical environment around their players. That’s why we’re excited to announce a new offering for building real-world games using Google Maps’ tried-and-tested model of the world. Game studios can easily reimagine our world as a medieval fantasy, a bubble gum candy land, or a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic city. With Google Maps’ real-time update ..read more

Posted by Rose Yao, Director Product, Google Maps APIs Google Maps APIs will soon be updated with a new look and feel to provide an experience in line with the recent updates to Google Maps. Late last year, we refined the color, typography, and iconography of the Google Maps basemap to improve focus, clarity of information, and readability. This means that the maps in your products will eventually get an update as well, with stylistic changes such as: New basemap with an updated color scheme and typography An updated pin style marks points of interest on the map in place of the pre ..read more

Posted by Christophe Hardy, Manager of Social Business at Toyota Motor Europe Editor’s note: Today’s post is from Christophe Hardy, Toyota Motor Europe’s Manager of Social Business. He’ll explain how Toyota used Google Maps APIs to build an Android app to keep teen drivers safe. It’s a milestone that teenagers celebrate and parents fear: getting that first driver’s license. For teens, a license means freedom and a gateway to adulthood. For parents, it means worrying about their kid’s safety, with no way to make sure they’re doing the right thing behind the wheel. We know that the risk ..read more