Google Opens Places API to the Public (opens in new tab)

(readwriteweb.com)

20 pointsrwwmike14y ago5 comments

5 comments

Fun fact: this article was clearly pre-written, or written by someone who didn't attend the session. It reads: "...at a session on connecting people with places, led by VP of location and local services Marisa Meyer."

Except that I was at that session, and can definititely report that Marissa Mayer (yes, that's how you spell her name) was not at the session despite being listed as a speaker (last-minute change).

rwwmikeOP14y ago

I wrote it after the session, actually...which I was unable to attend because I went to the damn press briefing. Alas. I didn't find out until later when speaking with someone from Google and they told me all about it. Alas, I didn't know about the last minute change...and was annoyed I couldn't be at that session. :)

mattgreenrocks14y ago

I was excited to use this for better quality geocoding, as the Google Maps geocoder doesn't seem to know of everything in Google Places, but it seems that is forbidden by TOS -- it's still developed around the idea that you request the place list and forward it to the user right then and there, never storing it.

If you're curious about what sort of thing you can't find through the Maps geocoding API by name, try searching for "madison square garden." It's an iconic venue for NY, and yet, just not available. In Google Places, however, it comes right up.

SolarUpNote14y ago

I was recently shopping for some location data. Glad we didn't purchase anything yet.

abrudtkuhl14y ago

It's about time - been waiting to get accepted to the private testing for months

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