Google Begins Adding Indoor Maps
Date: Thursday, December 01 @ 14:11:38 UTC
Topic:
Google has begun adding indoor mapping to the Maps application on Android handsets.
Initially the service is rolling out with detailed floor plans of a number of airports and shopping malls in the US and Japan but Google plan to expand the service to cover a large number of public buildings and are enlisting the help of business owners in producing the floor plans.
Although the GPS aspect is limited by reception difficulties inside a building, Google are using cellphone tracking technology to augment the GPS data and, in some circumstances, the maps are able to correctly identify which floor you are on and show you the relevant floor plan, clever stuff.
This is actually a very useful facility. Who amongst us hasn't ever needed to search for a shop in a large mall or wondered where 'Gate 3,456' was in an unfamiliar airport. Now you'll have that data in your phone, albeit it, for now at least you will need an Android powered smartphone.
For more information on the project, see Google's Indoor Maps website here.
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