Google decides to add live traffic data to its Maps API October 5, 2012 - 11:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - After restricting Enterprise customers from the feature since March, Google has finally decided to open its Maps API to allow the use of its live traffic service in third-party mapping apps and services, The Next Web reports. The feature uses live and historic traffic data to provide Google Maps users with updated travel times on popular travel routes whether walking, using a bike, car or jumping on public transport, and from today will be available for developers and businesses to include in their own mapping applications and services. Luckily, all that is needed for such data to be included is for a developer to make a simple JavaScript code change to their code. Once added, live traffic data can be polled in Maps API requests, TNW says. Google has come under fire for the restrictions it placed on its Maps API, driving some high-profile companies (including Foursquare) away from the service. However, following a relaxation in its pricing and Apple’s much-publicized iOS 6 Maps issues, many have been coming back to Google’s map and navigation services. Earlier in the week, Google announced that 800,000 Web sites and apps were actively using its Google Maps API. To celebrate the milestone, the search giant has launched MoreThanAMap.com, which showcases how developers are leveraging the features of its service. With traffic and transit data now available via the Maps API, it gives developers and businesses one more reason to back Google’s service, at a time when competition is pretty intense. However, at $100,000 a year, it still means only the more successful developers and businesses will be able to come on board, TNW says. Partner news  Top stories Microsoft revealed last week that it received 6-7,000 requests implicating 31-32,000 accounts in the last six months. It is believed that Fisa requests typically seek much more information. But it remains unclear how broad the Fisa orders might be. The acquisitions are the latest in a string under Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, who is rebuilding the company on the fly. By mid-July, users will get to apply for IDs of their choice, and will find out which one they have got by mid-August.   Partner news |  Latest news UN chief hails China's peacekeeping efforts  Ban said China has provided more peacekeepers than all the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council.Iran's Guardian Council approves presidential election result Hassan Rouhani won the election by taking nearly 51% of votes. Since he won more than half, that eliminated the need for a runoff.Friends of Syria to meet in Doha on June 22: French official Assad's forces aim to retake Aleppo, where they have been mired in a bloody stalemate with rebels for nearly a year.Parliament approves amendments to law on minimum wage rate Besides, new scale of salaries will be introduced, according to which the minimum wage rate will be doubled by 2017. |
