Google unleashes Google Maps API

Intrepid hackers have had a ball with Google Maps already, but now that Google has released an official API (Application Programming Interface) for the service, I suspect the fun will really begin. The new API accomodates up to 50,000 page views a day and lets you mark points of interest or load them from an external XML file, design your own "info windows," load custom icons, and draw custom paths. Curiously missing, however are route-finding support and geocoding (e.g. automatically getting the coordinates for a street address). The latter can be done easily enough with third-party tools, but the former is a bit of a let-down. Hopefully they'll work it into a future release. One thing about the API license agreement that will give some developers pause is the part in which Google reserves the right to put ads on maps in the future. If you want to see what the Google Maps API is capable of right now, take a look at the examples in the documentation.

Via Waxy.org Links.

Update: Check out this hilarious hack which uses the API to depict Darth Vader and his imperial walkers invading Palo Alto. Don't forget to click on the AT-ATs.

Via Boing Boing.