Slashdot | Google Launches Mapping Service

Slashdot | Google Launches Mapping Service: "Alex Reynolds writes "The beta version of Google Maps is now online, offering an alternative to Mapquest with what some might describe as a very much improved user interface, offering a cleaner layout, drop shadows, clickable waypoints and keyboard controls that allow you to move and zoom the map. For IE and Firefox/Mozilla at this point (no Safari or Opera support, as yet).""

For all those who say this is so much better than Mapquest, keep in mind that the map data is provided and copyrighted by the same company for all three services (Yahoo, MapQuest, and Google). That company is NAVTEQ (if you don't believe me, look in the corner of any of the maps generated by those 3 services), which claims that its data is also in GPS's.

But the maps look different, you say. True. But, there is another way that proves they must at least share data, and that is inaccuracies that are exactly the same on all of them.
Look up the intersection of US-202/NY-35 and the Taconic State Parkway on all three. Then look just to the south, to where FDR interchange is. You will see a color change on the taconic roadway in the exact same spot on all three services. On the northbound lanes, it is where the on-ramp from FDR merges in. On the south-bound lanes, it is where the 202 onramp merges in (which, btw, isn't really there anyway-it's a bit to the north).
I'm guessing that this color change signifies a change in the niceness or wideness of the roadway. Well anyway, it isn't there. BEFORE the recent construction it was (on the NB side) between the offramp and the onramp. right now, it's more like (on both sides) north of 202 sort of around the bear mountain pkwy.
AFTER construction, it'll be right around route 6 (i'm guessing with an EXIT ONLY lane).
anyway, this (and probaly other) shared inaccuracies, and other acute similarites, shows (aside from the NAVTEQ thing) that they all use the same data.

I am not sure if they use the same engine to come up with directions. Maybe they do. Maybe its hybrid (like part Google/mapquest/yahoo and part navteq). Maybe 2 of them use the same but the other doesn't. If anyone knows, or has figured out somehow (maybe using similar methodology as me), please leave a comment. I don't have the time.

The interface is certianly at least visibly unique for all three. There's no argument there. I like google's keyboard scrolling feature,as opposed to having to reload just to pan around

Anyway, which is the best? I don't know. If one is far better with directions than the other two, then I'll use that one. Google Maps has the unfair advantage in coolness. It's Google, what else is there to say? Also, Google apparantly does not have Ads (Not even "find ___ near this location/along this route") of any kind from what I can see (maybe because it's BETA). Aside from that, I don't know. The map data is the same, I haven't tested the directions side by side, and none of the interfaces have any serious shortcomings.

BTW, one thing that very few are aware of is the USGS/Microsoft TerraServer USA (not to be confused with these guys). It won't give you directions, and isn't targeted at the same audience as the other three, but it is interesting. They have loads of maps, and arial and/or satellite photos integrated together. Pretty cool; ad-free by the federal government.

PS: Just noticed that TeleAtlas is mentioned in Google but not the other two. So maybe Google is a bit more unique than I thought.

PS: See this bit on it's impact on the browser and so forth: Mapping Google Maps (Slashdot)

PS: An eaiser example of inaccuracy similarity among the three is here: Google Mapquest Yahoo The interchange between the Sprain and the Taconic is wrong.

PS: The Google links are the best. MapQuest's are way too long, and Yahoo's aren't accurate. Unfortunately, Google's don't include zoom, though.

PS: I was just thinking, even if all 3 did get the Taconic merge around 202 correct, it says that it's no longer a ltd access highway (according to the Yahoo and MapQuest legends; google doesn't have one) after those points i mentioned. This isn't so at all, as there are no traditional intersections until after the putnam county line.

UPDATE: later on

Now this is very very interesting. MSN Maps (not the same as Terraserver USA, sponsored by MS) also is NAVTEQ related. It also reports GDT (bought in July 2004 by TeleAtlas, a company listed on Google maps (probably not by coincidence)) as a source. More on that later. MSN maps have some of the same inaccuracies, but the Taconic/Sprain interchange is correct (yet its dwawn horribly). Why? I have no clue.

The GDT/TeleAtlas thing is certianly interesting. Why would only 2 of 4 list it? More interesting is this map thing. The detail is incredible. It gets my house exactly right, and none of the inaccuriacies I mentioned in the other 4. It even has the very new ramp structure for the bear mountain parkway correct! And some detail on train tracks! However, there are no directions, and there are some unfriendly aspects (ex: the taconic is called NY-987G). My only real gripe is that it lists the Saw Mill as major and the taconic (the whole thing) as secondary. It is horrible with the difference betweeen major and secondary in other places too. Just look at the interstates in NYC!