I know that’s a lot of “maps” there in the title. It’s a bit of an exaggeration actually but that’s how I see this new Google tool called mapplets. Now what are mapplets? From the Google Maps site, mapplet is defined as mini-applications that can be embedded into Google Maps. These mini applications varies from real estate search, current weather conditions, and distance measurement. More specifically Mapplets are:
mini-webpages that are served inside an IFrame 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.
Get the drift? For developers, the mapplets should reside in their own server and have the mapplets registered at Google Mapplet directory, then wait for Google Map users to access it. As for the users, they must know the URL where a particular mapplet resides before they can install it in their Google Maps account.
So, what’s in it for the internet-using-individuals like us? Added functionality for Google Maps. For developers? Another venue to showcase their talent. And for Google? More advertising opportunity since users will most likely to stay on Google’s site.
To better understand what this mapplets is all about, watch this developers video at YouTube:
