14 DAY TRIAL // Google's Maps API is taking a beating lately, mostly because Google had the audacity to start charging really big users. Foursquare has stopped using it on its site, Wikipedia chose OpenStreetMap for its Android app and so on.
But Google is showing that, for all the bad blood, there are plenty of people doing really interesting stuff with the Google Maps API, case in point being the integration with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG navigation system.
The SLS AMG is a top-of-the-line model, which, for Mercedes, is saying something. So you can be sure that Mercedes didn't use Google Maps out of a desire to cut costs or corners. The car maker is especially known for the amount of technology it puts into its cars and it's no different this time.
Google Maps is designed to enhance the existing navigation system in the car by making use of the unique advantages Maps offers, such as Street View, Panoramio photos, places reviews and so on.
"The vehicle’s integrated navigation system will be enhanced in certain regions by a fully functional JavaScript Maps API v3 implementation using Styled Maps, Google Places API, Places Autocomplete API, traffic layer, and the Panoramio layer as an Android App for the AMG Performance Media option," Google explained.
Mercedes uses the API to its fullest, for example, by using the Styled Maps option to use custom tiles for the night mode when the navigation switches to a reverse contrast view that is darker and doesn't interfere with night time driving.
Most people use Google Maps to find places and the Mercedes version makes ample use of the places database that Google has amassed. Of course, the other big use of Google Maps is for directions and, in this case, Street View offers a unique advantage that no proprietary navigation system is going to match.
