See it Live: https://john-azzaro.github.io/Study-Google-Maps-API/
UPDATE: You might experience an error when loading the prototype page above. Note that although the prototype works, the billing to make it work does not (see takeaways section for more details).
"Google Maps API Study" is an exploration of Google maps and associated functionalities, such as implementing location markers, etc. Please note that the current prototype has reduced functionality due to a recent change in how google handles the google maps api, in particular the limited use without linked credit card, etc.).
Here are a few questions examined in this study:
- What are the key takeaways from the Social Widgets Study?
- Does the Google Maps API Study feature commentary?
- What are the key features of the Google Maps API Study?
- Screenshots
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This study goes over a few of the special customization, like creating a location marker, etc. But there are a ton of other things you can do, such as custimizing the search filters, rank locations by distance, popularity, etc. Filters are particularly interesting, as you can use type filters in addition to yor location search for things like: gas_station, hospital, spa, car_rental, museum, etc.
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As of June 11, 2018 the Google Maps API is no longer free, at least as far as basic development goes. Valid API keys are needed which require credit card information, so that means the API is no longer keyless. And although you still get the first $200 of monthly usage free, implementing Dynamic Maps is limited to under 28,000 page loads per month. That might seem like a lot, but before the change, Dynamic Maps allowed 25,000 loads per day. Speaking of pricing, some developers reported price increases of up to 1400% due to the change in pricing strucure for commerical use of the API. Are there alternatives? Yes, but Google Maps seems to have a monopoly on the market more than a year after this change went into effect.
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There are a few alternatives to Google Maps. For example, Leaflet seems like a viable alternative as its an open-source JavaScript library, mobile-friendly, and interactive as well. The documentation seems very good, its realtively simple, and there are a few plugins available as well.
Yes! Although the Google API study is a bit shorter in terms of additional features, the study features line-by-line commentary and details about integrating Google Maps outlined in the processNotes.txt file.
Since this study is ongoing, basic functionalities are covered first and more advanced features are added or will be added in the future. For a complete list of current and future changes, see below:
| Features: | Feature Notes: |
|---|---|
| Google Maps Integration | |
| Marker | Shows a specific location on your map |
