Thursday, March 13. 2008

UPDATE: ESRI to Release API for ArcGIS Explorer

At next week's DevSummit, ESRI will announce an API for ArcGIS Explorer. Called ArcGIS Explorer Objects, a software developer will be able "re-skin" the app as well as toggle between 2D and 3D for example. A few additional products in the ArcGIS Explorer family will be announced as well.

UPDATE: Source of my information was provided by Bernie Szukalski during at demo at GITA. He believed it was a significant development.

Intel Mashup Maker

Technology Review explores Intel's Mash Maker.

Mash Maker differs [from PopFly, Yahoo! Pipes, etc.] mainly in its attempt to use the browser itself as mashup-making tool. Mash Maker is a downloadable program that integrates itself into the Firefox browser (versions for other browsers are planned for the future).

The app has different "levels." Beginners and non-programmers are offered suggested pre-made mashups when they visit sites like Facebook. The next level of user takes advantage of widgets to tie together data from different sites. The apps can then be saved to a repository for others to use. At the "deepest" level, those most familiar with Web data can direct widgets to specific data to mash. A this point Intel does not expect the project to become a product.

San Diego State's Visualization Center

San Diego State's Visualization Center is the focus of an article in the school paper. It highlights the role the center played in mapping and distributing information on this past fall's fires and its other projects. Co-director Eric Frost received the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue Eagle Award for Leadership for that work.

- The Daily Aztec

Further Exploration of Nokia/NAVTEQ Deal Expected

"The concern, the [Dow Jones] story says, is shrinking competition in the market for GPS devices. The Commission is already conducting an in-depth probe of TomTom’s pending bid for Tele Atlas." The source of the original report is "“three people familiar with the deal.”

-
Barrons

Accuweather Takes a Stake in GeoMicro

GeoMicro, known for its AltaMap mapping toolkit, is now part owned by Accuweather, the State College PA based weather company. The relationship is not new, but the investment (no word on how much Accuweather now owns) is. Accuweather will be incorporating AltaMap further into its local weather offerings.

Since the big news of late is mapping companies acquiring other mapping companies, this is a reminder that those in a particular industry also need mapping. The first big acquisition of this type in my memory: GE acquires Smallworld.

- press release