Google Map Search
Do a Google map search and the iPhone will switch to its built-in version of Google maps. Just input a query like this one into your page:
http://maps.google.com/?q=restaurants+near+Abilene+Christian+University,+Abilene,+TX
A couple of considerations:
By using a kml file, you can specify the exact coordinates that you want to map. Unfortunately, as of this writing, you can't control a lot about what's displayed. For example, you can't specify:
maps.google.com/?f=q&hl=en&q=http://my.acu.edu/m/kml/acucoffee.kml
including the q=url_of_your_kml_file
A very helpful resource for testing kml files is at http://www.thechrisoshow.com/display_kml/
- don't forget the target="_blank" in the link if you're using the iUI framework.
- put + signs instead of spaces between your search words
By using a kml file, you can specify the exact coordinates that you want to map. Unfortunately, as of this writing, you can't control a lot about what's displayed. For example, you can't specify:
- Choice of satellite, map or list view; iPhone maps will display the last view selected
- Zoom level
- Any map attributes other than the coordinates and a description
maps.google.com/?f=q&hl=en&q=http://my.acu.edu/m/kml/acucoffee.kml
including the q=url_of_your_kml_file
A very helpful resource for testing kml files is at http://www.thechrisoshow.com/display_kml/
Point to a Google MyMaps Map
Google makes it very easy to create a map that can then be displayed on the iPhone. You still don't have the full browser functionality-- no special icons and the information that shows in the pop-up window on a browser doesn't show at all on the iPhone. For example, try this link from a browser and the iPhone:
Map from Google's MyMaps
Let's hope that Apple and Google team up to make using myMaps more robust. However, if you can live with the limitations, just point your browser to maps.google.com and create a map, saving it to your myMaps tab. Next, click on the "Link to this page" link and copy and paste the "Paste link in email or IM" as we did above with a kml file.
Advice from an iPhone TechTalk
One of the teachers at an Apple workshop at Educause recommended that I overcome the problem with custom information not showing up in their Google maps app by pointing the user to the information first and then to a map for the location.
So, using iUi to show coffee shops on campus, first give the list of coffee shops, each one a link to an information page (that could also include advertising), and finally to a map if needed.
Given that our campus is small and the difference between any two locations will never be more than a five-minute walk, this makes sense. Hours rather than location may be the key criteria for selecting one over the other, and in fact, most on-campus users may never look at the map. Good advice, I think.
Google makes it very easy to create a map that can then be displayed on the iPhone. You still don't have the full browser functionality-- no special icons and the information that shows in the pop-up window on a browser doesn't show at all on the iPhone. For example, try this link from a browser and the iPhone:
Map from Google's MyMaps
Let's hope that Apple and Google team up to make using myMaps more robust. However, if you can live with the limitations, just point your browser to maps.google.com and create a map, saving it to your myMaps tab. Next, click on the "Link to this page" link and copy and paste the "Paste link in email or IM" as we did above with a kml file.
Advice from an iPhone TechTalk
One of the teachers at an Apple workshop at Educause recommended that I overcome the problem with custom information not showing up in their Google maps app by pointing the user to the information first and then to a map for the location.
So, using iUi to show coffee shops on campus, first give the list of coffee shops, each one a link to an information page (that could also include advertising), and finally to a map if needed.
Given that our campus is small and the difference between any two locations will never be more than a five-minute walk, this makes sense. Hours rather than location may be the key criteria for selecting one over the other, and in fact, most on-campus users may never look at the map. Good advice, I think.
