- Maps API Introduction
This presentation was given for all those attendees who were new to the Maps API. Speakers worldwide demonstrated how easy it is to create a map, and how powerful the API is. Check out the talks in Mountain View, São Paulo, Tokyo, Beijing, or Sydney. You can also go through the interactive slideset.
- New Maps API Features
This week we released v2.81 of the Maps API, and with that came two new features: traffic and driving directions (one of the most requested API features). In the session, we demonstrated the simple and sophisticated uses of the new GDirections, GRoute, and GStep classes. We also discussed features introduced in the past year, and an upcoming feature that will let developers monetize their maps more easily. Check out the talks in London, or Mountain View. You can also go through the interactive slideset.
- Mapplets
At this year's Where2.0, the conference for the geo community that took place right before our own Google Developer Day, we announced Mapplets. Mapplets let users mash together the Google Gadgets API with the Google Maps API to create mini maps applications that users can embed onto one shared map on maps.google.com. Mapplets are a good thing for users as they'll be able to easily combine data from mashups together by loading multiple mapplets, and they're a great thing for developers as they'll expose more the huge Google Maps user base to your mashups. Check out the talks in Mountain View, Tokyo, Moscow, Sydney.
- KML
In the KML presentations, we announced the KML2.2 schema and discussed new features like attribution, which helps Google respect authorship when indexing your KML files. Check out the talks in Mountain View, São Paulo, Sydney, Madrid, Hamburg, or Paris.
- geo search:
In a US-only session titled "geo search & KML/GeoRSS in Mashups," we announced that Google geo search (formerly known as KML search) will now index GeoRSS files, and that it would respect attribution in both formats. We then discussed techniques for using GeoRSS/KML in mashups. If you're a mashup developer looking to increase traffic to your website, you should check out the tips in this presentation. Check out the talk.
