Google unveils South African maps ahead of 2010

As of today, new detailed maps of many South African cities and towns, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and East London, are accessible on Google Maps through any web browser or via Google Maps for Mobile on data enabled handsets.  Although already available in South Africa, the map data has been improved dramatically and is now available with additional features.  In addition to searching online Maps, Google Maps users will now be able to find businesses and check driving directions.  Businesses will be able to add their own business listings for free via Google Maps Local Business Centre.

The map data includes a substantial amount of user generated content provided via Google Map Maker as well as thousands of business listings for South African cities.  The new maps also include ‘My Maps’ and hotspots of a number of South African artists and experts such as music favourites Freshlyground and Thandiswa Mazwai, and designer Desre Buirski.

Google Maps in South Africa can be viewed in several ways.  The “Map” button shows the traditional map view, ideal for finding an address or planning directions between points A and B.  To explore in more detail users can choose the “Satellite” button, which includes satellite and aerial photographs.  The “Terrain” view shows the physical geography of a place (such as hills and mountains). This button is a great choice if you’re heading out into the countryside.

Stephen Newton, country manager for Google South Africa said:
“Google Maps is an valuable addition to the list of products that we’re launching specifically for South Africans, given the market’s importance to us. Google Maps isn’t only about searchable, digitized maps helping you to find a local place, service or product.  Our goal with Maps is to make information with a geographical dimension available to everyone and to allow users to update the maps and develop on top of them.  We believe more accurate, representative local information can greatly improve the breadth of information available about a given area and in turn can bolster tourism and business investment.”

Google Maps in your pocket
Information on streets, addresses and local businesses and services will now be accessible via your mobile phone when you’re on the road or in areas you don’t know.  Google Maps for Mobile can be downloaded for free.  With this tool, users will be able to access detailed maps of South Africa and the world whilst on the go.

Shaun Kirk, Head of Marketing, Samsung Mobile, said, “Samsung is delighted to be partnering with Google to bring Google Maps for Mobile to South Africans. It means you can literally carry your city around in your pocket, and access information at any time you like, be it about businesses, restaurants or other services, whilst you’re on the road or in an unfamiliar area.”

Also commenting on Google Maps for Mobile, Romeo Kumalo, Executive Director: Commercial of Vodacom South Africa, said, “Being able to access Google Maps for Mobile is a great step forward, not only for finding your way around and organising your day-to-day life, but also for businesses to take advantage of the opportunities to showcase themselves to mobile users in time for 2010″.

Advertising free online without the need for a website:
Google Maps is the perfect product for local businesses, from banks to retail outlets, from tour operators to hotels.  Information is available to users and customers who are seeking products or services in local areas, either on their PCs or mobile phones. Using the Local Business Centre feature, companies can now enter information about their business, including their address, opening hours, phone numbers and photo for free. For more info, see www.maps.google.com/lbc

Maps API (Application Programming Interface) for Businesses
Johan Potgieter from CyberProp Real Estate Portal reports, “Installing the  Google Maps API onto our websites was quick and easy.  Seeing the maps work on the sites was rewarding, but hearing our users’ comments was even more gratifying, and that is essentially what we were after.  Many of our sites feature off-the-beaten-track locations, so having Google Maps on our websites makes it easier to locate a place. No matter how big or how small the website, no matter what target market you are after, and no matter whether your potential clients have a GPS or not, you can show them where your product is on earth, how on earth to get there, and overall improve your website to target more potential clients”.

Build and share your own Maps:
Create personalized, annotated, customized maps using the My Maps feature on Google Maps. My Maps can contain placemarks, lines, shapes, text, photos or videos enabling users to share diverse information with family and friends – from favourite campsites to photos and videos of a holiday or roadtrip.  To construct the maps users can also employ more sophisticated methods such as maps with advanced content (mapplet) using JavaScript. Check out some My Maps created by South African artists Freshlyground and Thandiswa Mazwai, designer Desre Buirski and popular blogger Mushy Peas on Toast.

Maps for Developers:
Google also provides APIs for Google Maps to help programmers, webmasters and designers to incorporate the functionality of Google Maps on their sites and develop new services based on local information. Today Google will also be holding a workshop for developers in Johannesburg, providing hands-on advice and tips from tech experts about how to make Maps user-friendly.  To learn more, check out www.code.google.com/apis/maps

Street View:
In the future, Street View images of South Africa will be available in Google Maps and Maps for Mobile, allowing users to virtually explore and navigate a neighbourhood through 360 degree panoramic street-level images. Users can look up restaurants or hotels before travelling, explore neighbourhoods and arrange meeting points.

About Google
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.google.com