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Google Maps Hybrid Mode - damn, they've done it again

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Phoenix

Phoenix

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Used to have a problem with having to switch back and forth between the sat map and the road map? Well now you don't have to. Google has done it again. Both are overlayed on top each other VERY accurately and the street names follow the roads.
 
I dream of the day when google announces they're working on an OS. Microsoft would shit themselves.
 
A pretty expected feature, but it works pretty well. Have they added this to Google Earth as well?

duderon said:
I dream of the day when google announces they're working on an OS. Microsoft would shit themselves.
Click to expand...
Unless it runs Windows apps, they shouldn't even bother. But then again, a Google Linux could be interesting.
 
Hey Phoenix. Slightly OT, but how big do you think the entire US Google maps data is? I wish they just release this like MS Streets and trips so I can have it on my TabPC locally. It would so rock for trips.
 
I have also noticed that in many areas they have arrows for streets to show the direction of traffic. I would expect that the next move is to tie into a traffic database so you can see how packed your route to/from various locations will be ... and then google will just plot you a better route :)

Anyways, no clue how big their database is, but I'm sure its huge with the satellite data and the actual map data. I'm sure it won't be long before they start throwing in feature data as well.
 
Google Maps is the best.
I expect it to get exponentially better over the next couple years, too.
I love how new Google stuff comes out of nowhere and knocks our socks off.
 
That's very awesome. But I still don't find their directions function to be nearly as useful or practical as, say, Mapquest yet.
 
Supposedly google has made an OS for their server farms. I doubt they're interested in making a traditional user OS though. It really wouldn't be their style.
 
demon said:
That's very awesome. But I still don't find their directions function to be nearly as useful or practical as, say, Mapquest yet.
Click to expand...


I'll definitely agree with this. Google will give you some VERY out of the way directions sometimes. There have been times when I've shown up at a place and been like, uh there was a much easier way to get here by just staying on the interstate as opposed to going op one interstate and snaking through a bunch of back roads.
 
demon said:
That's very awesome. But I still don't find their directions function to be nearly as useful or practical as, say, Mapquest yet.
Click to expand...

Keyword: Yet.
 
Phoenix said:
I have also noticed that in many areas they have arrows for streets to show the direction of traffic. I would expect that the next move is to tie into a traffic database so you can see how packed your route to/from various locations will be ... and then google will just plot you a better route :)
Click to expand...

That might be there plan eventually, but right now it looks like the arrows just point out direction for one-way traffic.
 
aoi tsuki said:
A pretty expected feature, but it works pretty well. Have they added this to Google Earth as well?
Click to expand...

That's always been in Google Earth, actually. There's a checkbox in the lower part of the program that you can use to turn on the displaying of roads (right by the Building and Terrain ones, IIRC).

You can also use the Layers box to turn on stuff like crime stats, restaurants, schools, parks, bodies of water, etc.
 
Phoenix said:
Used to have a problem with having to switch back and forth between the sat map and the road map? Well now you don't have to. Google has done it again. Both are overlayed on top each other VERY accurately and the street names follow the roads.
Click to expand...


I just noticed it last night. Thats sweet as hell.
 
I'm looking forward to the inevitable weather overlays. Having both a long backlog of animated radar/satellite data and a bunch of forecasts would be awesome, quickly killing The Weather Channel's ad-filled and difficult-to-navigate site.
 
Cheesemeister said:
I'm looking forward to the inevitable weather overlays. Having both a long backlog of animated radar/satellite data and a bunch of forecasts would be awesome, quickly killing The Weather Channel's ad-filled and difficult-to-navigate site.
Click to expand...

No shit. It loads slow and isn't very functional.
I'd love google to take on weather next. A map that you can put into motion at any time from any level of zoom.
 
I'm shopping for appartments right now, and I must say that Google maps is currently my best friend. That is all.
 
Cheesemeister said:
I'm looking forward to the inevitable weather overlays. Having both a long backlog of animated radar/satellite data and a bunch of forecasts would be awesome, quickly killing The Weather Channel's ad-filled and difficult-to-navigate site.
Click to expand...
you can do this already with Google Earth and some very precise placement of links to regional radar maps (like on weather.com).
 
Has anyone had a chance to play with MS Virtual Earth? I've noticed a few "reviews" saying it's better than Google Maps... site seems to be down though....
 
scorcho said:
you can do this already with Google Earth and some very precise placement of links to regional radar maps (like on weather.com).
Click to expand...

Manually, eh? I dunno, researching all of the links for the data and positioning them just right seems like a big hassle that I'd be happy to leave to Google.
 
Cheesemeister said:
Manually, eh? I dunno, researching all of the links for the data and positioning them just right seems like a big hassle that I'd be happy to leave to Google.
Click to expand...
honestly it took me about 5 minutes. you overlay the URL to the radar gif/jpg, set it somewhat transparent, and set it right over your location. after that make it so that the image reloads every 15-30 minutes and bingo - instant weather program.
 
THEY HAVE JAPAN MAPPED OUT. OMG!!! It's in Japanese though... But still. Wow... You can even search out some obscure Indonesian village (no roads labeled, but it'll pinpoint the position on Earth)...

I <3 Google. :)
 
DarienA said:
Has anyone had a chance to play with MS Virtual Earth? I've noticed a few "reviews" saying it's better than Google Maps... site seems to be down though....
Click to expand...


Well their road following algorithm is MUCH worse that googles. In my neighborhood they actually have a road going through a house.
 
Phoenix said:
Well their road following algorithm is MUCH worse that googles. In my neighborhood they actually have a road going through a house.
Click to expand...

Hmm the driving directions portion isn't enabled smoothly yet... OTOH you can use your IP address or a Wifi connection to overlay your current position on the Virtual Earth map... nice.
 
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