In recent months, new players like Apple and MapBox have taken aim at the increasingly important arena of digital mapping. With the boldest redesign of Google Maps in 8 years launched this week, "the leader in online mapping" isn't standing pat.
"In the tech industry, maps have become essential, primarily because of the explosion of mobile devices, on which maps are a critical application," explains Claire Cain Miller. "Maps are also seen as the gateway to commerce, both online and in the real world."
Thus, the launch this week of a redesigned Google Maps at the company's annual I/O developers conference is a move to head off increasing competition from tech companies large and small.
“'The future of search starts with maps. That’s where all the commerce is going to be done and that’s what everyone’s fighting out,' said John Malloy, a partner at BlueRun Ventures, which invested in Waze, a crowdsourced mapping service that Facebook has shown interest in acquiring. 'To monetize mobile traffic, maps are a critical ingredient.'”
FULL STORY: Google Escalates the Competition in Map Services
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Village of Glen Ellyn
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners