Roundup of spatial happenings with Google

Over the last couple of weeks, there have been quite a few announcements from Google (if you’re interested in following announcements, Google’s LatLong Blog is a good blog to regularly read to keep up to date).  A subtle change to Google Maps started showing up last week with the replacement of the hybrid button with a new button to overlay topography on the map.  The ability to toggle labels and street centerlines on the satellite view was added as a drop down that users can check on or off when viewing imagery.  Street view level imagery took on another functionality when it was added as a thumbnail to search balloons when searching in Google Maps.  Google’s My Maps feature now is collaborative with the ability for creators to share their map creations and allow others to edit them.  In addition, the ability to now load in KML, KMZ and GeoRSS files into Google Maps via My Maps has broadened the ability to display geographic information by users in Google Maps.  Finally, the last significant announcement out of Google is the launching of a new version of Google Maps for Mobile that uses a beta technology called My Location to find the approximate location of cell phone users without GPS technology.