New Geo APIs - 2/14/12

Read all the way to the end - there's a bonus!

nowCOAST LayerInfo API: nowCOAST is a GIS-based online mapping tool that provides access to real-time coastal environmental observations and NOAA forecasts for any region in the coastal United States. nowCOAST's LayerInfo API provides access to additional useful information on mapping layers, including Legends, Timestamps, Icons, and Layer Descriptions. The API uses HTTP calls and responses are formatted in XML, HTML and TXT.

Aviresto API: Aviresto is a guide to restaurants in France. The site lets users read and submit customer reviews. Searches can be conducted by city or by location on a map. An API is available that allows users to conduct these searches programmatically and pull the results into their own application or web site. Public documentation of the API is not available; developers should contact the provider for access.

NAVTEQ LocationPoint Advertising API: NAVTEQ is a provider for digital maps and map content used in navigation and location-based services. The NAVTEQ Network for Developers (NN4D) program provides developers with a variety of API's for mapping, road traffic data, and advertising.

The NAVTEQ LocationPoint Advertising (LPA) service is an in-application mobile advertising service that provides location-based, targeted advertising to users of location aware applications and mobile websites. This API will gather location data and identify users, and then request relevant adds to return to the device. The LPA web service also exposes functions for handling the end-user experience after they have interacted with a LPA-powered add; for example, providing the user with maps and routes to physical stores related to an add they clicked through.

NAVTEQ Map Reporter API: NAVTEQ is a provider for digital maps and map content used in navigation and location-based services. The NAVTEQ Network for Developers (NN4D) program provides developers with a variety of API's for mapping, road traffic data, and advertising.

NAVTEQ's Map Reporter allows individuals to suggest updates or corrections to NAVTEQ maps. Users can give feedback about addresses, roads or road features, points of interest, or traffic restrictions. Attachments, such as images or supporting evidence, can also be added to the submission. In addition to submitting feedback on existing map elements, users can suggest new map content such as other points of interest or cartography details. The Map Reporter web service is composed of two primary parts: a submission service that allows users to provide their feedback to NAVTEQ, and a query service for searching map reports for the status and details of previously submitted requests.

- Programmable Web

Bonus: StreetFight offers Comparing the Pros and Cons of 5 Top Location APIs which looks at contenders to fill in for recently closed SimpleGeo. Warning: written by an intern.

New Geo APIs

Inside Idaho API: The service delivers geospatial data to support mapping of resources within the state of Idaho. Compliant with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards, the platform uses ArcGIS and other resources to promote sharing of data, effective communication, and activity coordination among state agencies and other government units. Applications can use the service to map biological and environmental features, climatology, structures, and other featurs of the state.

API methods support mapping of animal and plant species, elevation and other geological features, and climatic conditions. Applications can also map jurisdictional boundaries, transportation resources, structures, and other prominent infrastructure within Idaho

ParkingInMotion API: ParkingInMotion is an application that provides parking data and information in real-time. ParkingInMotion covers parking information in around 500 cities in the US, Canada, and Europe. Parking information includes locations, rates, hours of operation, and entrance points of parking locations.

The ParkingInMotion API allows developers to access and integrate the data and functionality of ParkingInMotion with other applications. Public documentation is not available; interested developers should email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for API information and access.

United Nations SWERA API: The SWERA service, from the United Nations, provides data about renewable energy resources worldwide. It provides geographic information system (GIS) and time-series data compiled by international experts and in-country partners. The service helps to promote applications of solar and wind energy technologies and support decision-making about available resources and likely energy production for a location.

API methods allow specification of a location by latitude and longitude along with desired data, including solar irradiance and angle, wind speeds, and related information as recorded by a number of national repositories. Methods are also available to retrieve climate data such as temperature, heating and cooling degree days, humidity, and barometric pressure.

HAMweather Aeris API: HAMweather is a site that provides traditional weather content such as local weather and weather maps. HAMweather's core product is Aeris an API that provides the necessary weather data to power services such as hosted weather sites and weather application development. The API gives developers access to data such as weather advisories, forecasts, geographic locations, storm reports and more. It uses RESTful calls and responses are formatted in JSON and JSONP.

RouteSavvy API: The service accepts a list of locations and generates a map of the most efficient sequence and route for reaching all of them, either in a roundtrip returning to the starting place or one way with first and last stops designated. It helps delivery, transit, or other routing functions to reach required stops as efficiently as possible, avoiding unnecessary backtracking.

API methods accept the route type (roundtrip or one way) and the starting and ending locations, specified as latitude and longitude, along with each of the stops that must be included. The service returns the locations specified listed in the optimal sequence.

- Programmable Web

AtlasCT Offers Yet another Set of Services for Mapping, GIS and LBS

Programmable Web features AtlasCT's APIs and apparently Nokia is a client. The challenge for me: what exactly distinguishes this offering from others out there (SimpleGeo, for example). PW currently includes 190 mapping APIs in its database. Also cited this week: GIS Cloud API, GooTip API (for locatoin based based question asking) and PDX API. Not directly relevant to geo, but perhaps to travel/tourism:

Postcard on the Run API: Postcard on the Run is an application that allows users to take photographs, personalize them with messages, and send them as print postcards to physical mailing addresses.

- Programmable Web

GIS Developer/API Tidbits - 6/13/11

Programmable Web's latest roundup of new APIs includes goodies for geospatial developers:

Evrythng API: Evrythng is an internet software and services company providing a unique online identity and profile for any physical object.

Placr API: Placr is a UK public transport data aggregator offering feeds to apps and real-time running displays.

Shoudio API: Shoudio is a location based audio platform that lets users record and share geo-tagged audio snippets with friends via Shoudio.com, Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. 

USA Today Census API: The USA TODAY Census API allows developers to programmatically access United States Census information.

- Programmable Web