Fun with Google Maps

The best part about Google Maps is that you never have to ask strangers to send you on a wild goose chase ever again. It has become the ultimate guide for those who want directions, locations of nearby businesses, or even to view a neighborhood at street level. Now, Google has added a new application you can add to your iGoogle page, Google Latitude - a tool that lets users find out where their friends are around the world and what they're doing at this moment.

Search for what you need
Say you're looking for a coffee shop that's within walking distance. With Google Maps, you can simply type the word "coffee shop" into the search box. Based on your present view (city/zip), you'll see coffee shop locations pop up in the same vicinity. Click on a particular location, and you can get directions, a link to their website, search nearby for other businesses, save it for later, or edit the location by either flagging it as incorrect, moving it, or claiming it as your own business.

Show others where you've been
One of the coolest things about Google Maps is that users can create their own custom maps. "My Maps" (which is right next to "Get Directions" on Google Maps) is sort of like your own online map community. You can find your saved places, search in-between destinations, and browse useful extras from weather information to disaster-related maps. You can highlight your favorite bike route or show your family the exact neighborhoods you're looking to purchase a home. You can post pictures, descriptions and videos on each location to show the places you've traveled or landmarks you'd like to visit. You can also set your maps for public or private view. When you type in a city in the search box of Google Maps, you can see other public "User-Created Maps" in the left column.

 

Find destinations en route
Search in-between on My Maps is so simple, but so incredibly useful. Just add it your maps, select it, type in what you're looking for (like "coffee shop"), add your "point A" and "point B," and you'll get a map of all the coffee shops on your route. This is an especially convenient tool for road trips in unfamiliar territory.

Places just around the corner
Places of Interest is another slick tool for My Maps that locates just about anything you might need to find including bars, ATMs, food (by genre), pharmacies, and even movie rental stores. This custom map supports viewing of up to 5 different options at one time. This can be a great feature for when you have guests in town who don't know where to find anything. If you click on "Videos from YouTube" or "Photos from Picasa," you're also able to see videos and photos that have all been uploaded by users within your area.

Cool mashups
GasBuddy.com, is a nice "mashup" that helps you find the best gas prices in town.

HousingMaps.com shows Craigslist listings in a number of cities across the country. Users can filter by city, price, housing type, listings with pictures, and any additional keywords. The end result is a detailed map with housing options side-by-side with a color coded text list.

Gmaps Pedometer is a simple site that lets you calculate the distance between specific points you plot on the map. You can turn mile markers, elevation, and the calorie counter on or off based on your personal needs. In addition, you can save your favorite routes for future reference.

On the go
The beauty of Google Maps is that you're not restricted to browsing at home. Google Maps for mobile works on a wide variety of phones including the iPhone. The mobile version supports a majority of the standard Google Maps functionality including My Location (regardless of whether or not your phone has GPS), Street View, Directions (public transit, walking, or driving), Business Listings, and Traffic information.

With your mobile device, Google Latitude can be an even more amazing tool to have at your disposal. Users are able to connect with friends and family anywhere and to see where they are and what they're up to. You can even contact them through an Instant Message. In addition, you're able to control what your location is and who gets to see it. You can use Google Latitude on your phone, PC or both.

 
Sharing your location with others starts only when both you and a friend agree and accept each other's invitation. Invite friends via e-mail or easily add them from your Gmail contacts. You can share your location manually or simply use your computer's WiFi location. And like any IM program, with Google Latitude, you can create a status message and upload your own photo.

Go on a free vacation
Google Earth has become something of a trip, literally. Not only can you see the entire world in 3-D, but you can even explore the depths of the ocean and see prime vacation destinations as if you're right there. How's that for an escape from work? Google Earth has lots of cool extras, too. You can see historical geographical images, see the changes in land development over time, discover melting ice caps, coastal erosion, or even suburban sprawl. Another cool feature is that users can save and share their paths with others by recording a free-form tour in Google Earth. Simply turn on the touring feature, press record, and see the world. You can even add a soundtrack or narration to personalize the journey. There's also Google Moon, where you can see some of the surface of the moon and the spots where astronauts have explored.

Google Ocean lets you dive beneath the surface and visit the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench. Along with top marine experts, you can learn about ocean observations, climate change, and endangered species. Discover new travel hot spots or places to surf. In the new ocean layer, you can plunge all the way to the floor of the sea, view exclusive content from partners like BBC and National Geographic, and explore 3D shipwrecks like the Titanic. In fact, in recent news, an aeronautical engineer who browsed Google Ocean spotted what some believe is the fabled lost civilization of Atlantis in the ocean floor!

• 
• 
• 
• 
•