Google Mapplets, Mashup Editor and the Map Street View

Google Mapplets

A mashup is a web application that combines data from more than one source into an integrated experience. Content used in mashups is typically sourced from a third party via a public interface or API. [Link]

Google Mapplets is a mashup which are mini-webpages that are served within the Google Maps site. You can put anything inside this mini-webpage that you can put into a normal webpage, including HTML, JavaScript, and Flash. Google provides a JavaScript API that gives the Mapplet access to services such as manipulating the map, fetching remote content, and storing user preferences. When a Mapplet is enabled by the user, Google’s servers will fetch the Mapplet source code from your web server, and then serve it to the user from gmodules.com.

Mapplets enables third party developers to create mini applications that can be displayed on Google Maps, much like Google Gadgets are displayed on iGoogle. These Mapplets contain a variety of information, from housing listings to crime data, and tools like distance measurement. Users can select from a wide range of Google and third party Mapplets to display on the Map, essentially creating their own “mashup of mashups” directly on the Google Maps site, while still enjoying the built-in functionality of Google Maps, such as local search and driving directions. A number of our partners, including WeatherBug, Booking.com and Platial have already created Mapplets.

Check out the Google Maplet Directory and Google Mapplets Concepts and Examples.

Google Mashup Editor

Google is developing Google Mashup Editor, which is currently available only for a small number of developers for testing it.

• Google services mashed up
  Take some AJAX UI components, data from your users and Google services like Google Base and Google Maps or external feeds and mash them all together using our simple framework. We make it easy with the Google Mashup Editor.
• Common web technologies doing uncommon things
  The Google Mashup Editor allows you to use HTML, JavaScript, CSS and XML to create an infinite variety of applications with technology you are familiar with.
• Simple tools for sophisticated apps
  Using the Google Mashup Editor you can create, debug and deploy your application in one interface.

Google Maps Street View

Google Maps has recently included Street View in Google Maps for a few selected cities like New York and San Francisco. You can view the dynamic photograph of the street as if you are standing on the street. It’s nice feature!

Empire State Building view with Street View

Thanks to Abhishek for suggesting this topic.