Google Maps Gets Social Features
by
on October 18, 2007,
Users of the popular Google Maps service now have unique identities and can interact with other users with the addition of user profiles, a feature that was launched by Google yesterday.
Previously, the only interactivity users had on the service was through business reviews and the creation of personalized maps (although they were private and could not be shared with others).
Now, each user is provided with a profile, which is essentially a collection of each person's activity on the mapping service. In addition to business reviews, users can now post photos, links, and public personal maps. Of course, the profiles would not be complete without a sidebar where users can add an avatar/photo, add links to their favorite sites, and post a short biography describing themselves to others.
The profiles for this new Google Maps feature come from the profiles used on Google's recently launched Shared Stuff bookmarking service. As Google Operating System noticed, this will most likely mean that these profiles will become universal around all of Google's services, as similar features are added in the future elsewhere at the company.
With the new map-creation tools available, any user can make a custom map of recommended places and locations and also add reviews, photos and links within it. The maps are then made public on the service, to be shared and viewed by anyone who may be interested. As an example, a user in Los Angeles could create a map containing only their 5 favorite local restaurants, which a visiting tourist may then visit and find useful to find someplace to eat at.
Google employee BikerBelle has created a demonstration video of how the service works and has also already set up a profile along with some maps of her favorite bicycling trails.
All that has to be done now is implementing these new features into the mobile version of Google Maps, since that is where Google's focus seems to be right now. Wouldn't it be great to have a personal guide to hot spots all over the world right inside your pocket?
