Google rolls out more improvements to its mapping tools following Apple’s Maps apology

Google rolled out more new and refreshed imagery for its Maps and Earth tools on Friday, the same day that Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a letter of apology for the "frustration" caused by the Cupertino company's new Maps app.

Google employees charged with keeping the company’s mapping tools in tip-top shape must currently be walking around the Mountain View offices with a spring in their step so bouncy they run the risk of banging their heads on the ceiling with every stride.

The Web giant always knew it had some good stuff going on with Maps and Google Earth, but after the disastrous launch of Apple’s Maps app recently, its offerings suddenly look even better.

And as Apple boss Tim Cook issued a letter of apology to iOS users on Friday regarding the Maps mess, Google was busy rubbing salt into the wound by uploading improved imagery to its own mapping tools. In the apology letter, Cook even went as far as to recommend people use Google Maps, among other similar services, until Apple improves its own offering.

In a post on its Lat-Long blog Friday, Google’s Bern Steinert announced refreshed high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery for a slew of locations around the world, as well as some brand new 45-degree imagery.

Google’s 45-degree imagery goes up against the Flyover feature on Apple’s Maps app, which offers photo-realistic, interactive 3D views of major cities around the world. In Google Maps, you’ll find new 45-degree views for 37 US and 14 international locations. Steinert offered up a picture of Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa by way of example.

More than 100 countries and 17 cities have been updated with new high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery in both Maps and Earth. Check out the blog post for detailed information regarding locations.

Google is constantly adding new features to Maps and Earth in a bid to hold its position as the leading provider of online mapping tools. Its Street View service recently threw on a pair of flippers to explore some spectacular ocean scenery off the coast of Australia, the Philippines and Hawaii.

“Our quest to create the most comprehensive and accurate map of the world is ongoing, but we’re happy to take a pause and share some impressive progress that our Google Maps and Earth imagery teams have recently made,” Steinert said in the blog post introducing the new imagery, no doubt with a massive smile on his face when he wrote it.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com