Maps API for Flash

 

In the launch of Google Maps API for Flash in May 2008 they were responding to strong demand from ActionScript developers for a way to integrate Google Maps into their applications and exploit the performance and cross-platform strengths of Flash.

However use of the Maps API for Flash remains a small percentage of overall Maps API traffic, with only a limited number of applications taking advantage of features unique to the Maps API for Flash. In addition, the performance and consistency of browser JavaScript implementations has progressed, making the JavaScript Maps API an increasingly suitable alternative.

Consequently they have decided to deprecate the Maps API for Flash in order to focus our attention on the JavaScript Maps API v3 going forward. This means that although Maps API for Flash applications will continue to function in accordance with the deprecation policy given in the Maps API Terms of Service, no new features will be developed, and only critical bugs, regressions, and security issues will be fixed. We will continue to provide support to existing Google Maps API Premier customers using the Maps API for Flash, but will wind down Developer Relations involvement in the Maps API for Flash forum.

They understand that this decision will be disappointing for Maps API for Flash developers. Google hope you will consider migrating your applications to the Maps API v3, which offers many additional benefits such as Street View, Fusion Tables integration, Places search, and full support for mobile browsers. Developer Relations team and many skilled members of the JavaScript Maps API community are available to assist you in doing so on the Google Maps JavaScript API v3 forum.

Google remains supportive of Flash as a development platform for Rich Internet Applications for Chrome, Android, and other devices. However by consolidating our development on the Maps API v3 we can focus all of our resources on delivering great new Maps API features for the benefit of as many developers as possible.

 

planetinaction.com: Animated Bitmaps in Google Earth

 

Paul van Dinther has done a lot of cool stuff with Google Earth, including putting out the excellent game “Ships” and “Drive the A-Team Van“, among others. He has also done a good bit of work in building and testing new ideas to stretch the Google Earth Plug-in to its limits. He recently built a tool to test the performance of the plug-in in various browsers, and now he’s back with a neat demo to show how to render text and animated bitmaps using the plug-in.

 

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You can try it for yourself on his site. As he mentions on there, you’ll likely get better performance out of it if you use Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer with the demo, as Google Chrome has some speed issues when working with the Google Earth Plug-in.

Webcast recording showcases what’s new with Bing Maps

Bing Maps developers from Earthware, OnTerra and Infusion recently discussed Bing Maps’ latest features and development tips and tricks. The webcast aired on March 1, and is now available as a recording here<http://www.microsoft.com/maps/>.

During this fast-paced, 40-minute overview of the new Bing Maps AJAX Control 7.0, panelists discuss how to evaluate and improve the performance of Bing-powered mapping applications and new tools for working with SQL databases.

Earthware’s Brian Norman showed developers how to get maximum performance and speed from the Bing Maps AJAXAPIs. 2010 King of Bing Maps Ricky Brundritt – developer of the TaxiFare Calculator – demonstrated how to create mapping add-ons that enhance any mapping application. Rounding out the panel, OnTerra’s Steve Milroy highlighted the new DataConnector, which allows organizations and developers to rapidly create web mapping applications that contain rich geospatial data visualization features.