Google Maps JavaScript API WebGL

I’m a huge mapping nerd, so I’m a sucker for the Maps JavaScript API WebGL beta which was announced at Google I/O back in May: Introduced are three new features: WebGL Overlay View lets you add custom 2D and 3D graphics and animated content to your maps. Tilt and heading can now be adjusted programmatically, …

Manage Google Maps API keys with the Google Cloud SDK (gcloud)

To manage cloud infrastructure I’m a huge fan of Terraform. Unfortunately I noticed that it’s not possible to use Terraform for managing API Keys for Google Maps (and other services). After some digging I found that the alpha version of the Google Cloud SDK has support for it. Commands available in the stable gcloud release: …

Google Maps Hacks: Creating a Virtual Traffic Jam

Google Maps Hack by Simon Weckert: 99 second hand smartphones are transported in a handcart to generate virtual traffic jam in Google Maps. Through this activity, it is possible to turn a green street red which has an impact in the physical world by navigating cars on another route to avoid being stuck in traffic. …

How far ahead of Apple Maps is Google Maps?

In succession to Google Maps’s Quiet Transformation, a new – and very extensive and highly interesting – comparison by the same author. He start off by taking a look at the level of detail when it comes to buildings. But these buildings are more than just a pretty detail—they appear to be the foundation for …

react-native-maps-directions – Directions/Routing component for react-native-maps

One of the things I found missing in the aforementioned react-native-maps was the ability to route between to coordinates. Combining the feedback from the related issues on GitHub (#52, #778, and #929) I’ve created a standalone component that does exactly that. The MapViewDirections component can route between an origin and destination coordinate. As routing is …

react-native-maps – React Native Mapview component for iOS + Android

On a React Native project I’m currently working on, I’m implementing native (vector) mapviews. Gladly there’s react-native-maps by AirBnB to handle it all. import React, { Component } from ‘react’; import MapView from ‘react-native-maps’; class MapViewExample extends Component { constructor(props) { super(props); this.state = { region: { latitude: 37.78825, longitude: -122.4324, latitudeDelta: 0.0922, longitudeDelta: 0.0421, …

The Jefferson Grid

The aforementioned Sad Topographies reminded me of The Jefferson Grid, an Instagram account curating a list of areal photos depicting a grid with cells the size of one square mile each, spread throughout the United States. Looking from the window seat on a long plane flight, you might have noticed that large swaths of the …

Scale Yosemite’s El Capitan with Google Maps

Welcome to The Nose of El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park — the most iconic rock climb on earth. Tighten your harness and double-check your knot, to join Lynn Hill, Alex Honnold, and Tommy Caldwell on a 3,000 foot interactive journey up El Capitan. Here’s a behind the scenes video: Scale Yosemite’s El Capitan with …