Google brings beta Places API to iOS, promises better location sharing
Google on Thursday launched a beta Places API for iOS, which should allow future apps with location sharing to use actual place names, instead of latitude and longitude.
The application programming interface connects with Google's database, covering over 100 million locations such as restaurants and hotels. Developers have a range of features they can implement for end-users, such as a place picker, real-time location, and/or detailed information about a place such as address, phone number, and website.
When a user is typing out search terms, an app can help autocomplete the name they're looking for.
Developers will also be able to add new places and have them appear in Google's database, or otherwise improve mapping by reporting the presence of a device at a given location.
Developers must sign up to participate in the beta. This requires not just having a Google account, but an app with a bundle identifier.
Google has had a Places API web service and JavaScript library in existence for some time, but until this week there was little specific mobile support. Although the iOS API is in beta, Android developers now have access to a completed one, including documentation and code samples.
The application programming interface connects with Google's database, covering over 100 million locations such as restaurants and hotels. Developers have a range of features they can implement for end-users, such as a place picker, real-time location, and/or detailed information about a place such as address, phone number, and website.
When a user is typing out search terms, an app can help autocomplete the name they're looking for.
Developers will also be able to add new places and have them appear in Google's database, or otherwise improve mapping by reporting the presence of a device at a given location.
Developers must sign up to participate in the beta. This requires not just having a Google account, but an app with a bundle identifier.
Google has had a Places API web service and JavaScript library in existence for some time, but until this week there was little specific mobile support. Although the iOS API is in beta, Android developers now have access to a completed one, including documentation and code samples.
Comments
Like Microsoft, Google need access to iOS users as their own e-c-rap-o system isn't exactly minting them as much money as they'd like.
Why else would they port nearly every app they premier on Android over to iOS? Cover all the bases. I predict Apple to soon start doing the same with more of their apps.
Yes Google knows that iOS users have a higher income and do online shopping more than android users.
I see this in observing my friends who use each platform; iOS users are more active at online shopping.
https://places.demo.api.here.com/places/
Does Apple have a similar mobile-related API for Apple Maps? If so, how does it compare to Google's new offering?
I think Apple's API returns geo-location just as Google previously did. Right now Apple doesn't offer a "places" API along the likes of Google's recent update AFAIK, tho some developer here can confirm that.
And the truth is that Apple's POI data isn't in nearly good enough shape to implement something along the lines of a Places API.
Why else would they port nearly every app they premier on Android over to iOS? Cover all the bases. I predict Apple to soon start doing the same with more of their apps.
Other than the Beats music app, which has been reported to be staying on Android, I do not think your predication will see the light of day. Google needs iOS. Apple does not need Android.
Tim Cook says he doesn't have an issue with it, something Mr. Jobs perhaps would not have agree with. It's a new Apple with Cook at the helm.
EDIT: A link to the interview:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/28/tim-cook-apple-has-no-issue-porting-its-apps-to-android/
Tim Cook says he doesn't have an issue with it, something Mr. Jobs perhaps would not have agree with. It's a new Apple with Cook at the helm.
EDIT: A link to the interview:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/28/tim-cook-apple-has-no-issue-porting-its-apps-to-android/
I remember that interview, but more importantly, I remember this...
"We have no religious issue with porting an Apple app to Android," said Cook in response to whether iCloud should branch out to other platforms. "If it made sense for us to do that, we would do that. You could apply that to every area of Apple."
Not even Engadget believed Apple's iOS apps would be ported to Android.
Nice try though.
Keep in mind, I am not attempting to start a religious war with you concerning Android. Android exists.
Awwww ... cute little Larry / google-y ... how thoughtful of them!
And ... if the user doesn't want to share their locations ... who cares ... we will force them to do it!