Keep Google Earth and Google Maps accurate with the improved Map Maker

Over three years ago, Google introduced “Map Maker” to allow people to make updates to Google Maps and Google Earth. You could mark businesses as being closed, move their pins around, edit information, add roads, etc. It’s quite a useful tool.

Now Google has updated Map Maker to make it even more powerful and easy to use.

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Not only will your updates appear on Google Maps and Google Earth (after they’re approved by a Google staff member), but they’ll also appear on Google Maps Mobile — and that’s very important. With the growing popularity of Google Navigation on Android, accurate maps are a necessity. This also shows why Google Navigation is so wildly popular; rather than getting yearly updates (for $99) like a Garmin device, you get access to maps that are updated daily for free!

Google Earth: 2012 London Olympics

 

The 2012 Summer Olympics, to be held in London, are getting closer all the time. As they’re working hard on preparing the various venues for competition, you can use Google Earth to follow their progress.

A handful of venues already have 3D models in Google Earth, including the London Aquatics Centre (model details), seen here:

 

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Another great model is the London Velodrome (model details), which will house the indoor track cycling events:

 

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A great overview of the venues can be found in this Google Sightseeing post from last week. In particular, you can grab their KML file to quickly find the venues in question.

Google added fresh imagery just prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, so I expect we’ll see some great new imagery in London sometime before the games begin next summer.

The New Google Maps 6.0 Goes Indors


Google Maps 6.0 for Android is available now in the US and Japan, and pinpoints your location in participating malls, airports, Macy’s, Home Depots, and other retail outlets. It’s like a directory in your pocket. Available for Android 2.1 and later, the latest feature uses floor plans from retailers to help you find the bathrooms and other points of indoor interest. Google has fine-tuned its My Location feature to locate which floor you’re wandering around on looking for socks.

As malls get bigger and more cluttered, it’s getting harder to find the Hot Dog on a Stick or the shoe section at Macy’s. Well, mall rats rejoice; Google’s My Location feature just got an indoor upgrade to help navigate your way through malls, airports, and department stores.

Google Maps Gоes Indoors, Pinpоints Orange Julius in Crowded Malls Retailers that are not part of today’s rollout can upload their own floor plans to Google. So hoрefully I’ll sоon be able to find the USВ cables at Frу’s without wandering around for 10 minutes. The feature is Android only.