OpenStreetMap News

MapQuest is at Adobe MAX in sunny Los Angeles and we are thrilled to announce the official release of our Mobile Flash Maps API on both licensed data [the regular MapQuest data from companies you know] and open data [OpenStreetMap].

Flash? But it's that so over? No, Adobe doesn't think so.

For those who have been following Adobe lately, you’ve seen some very exciting developments within their Flash Builder (Flex SDK) development tools.  With the release of Flash Builder 4.5, you can deploy native mobile applications to Apple iOS, Google Android and Blackberry Tablet from a single code base.  Yes, code ONE time and deploy native applications everywhere.  For those used to Adobe Flex, Flash Builder is the new name of the development tool to deploy applications using Adobe Flex SDK or ActionScript.

If I understand this correctly the magic that allows this is Adobe Air, Adobe cross-platform run-time envronment which runs as a layer on iOS.

MapQuest Dev Blog via @gletham

Per the OSM Sys Admin

tile scraping apps: MOBAC, NaviComputer, OpenMaps, Locus & oMaps are killing our servers & endangering our hosting

That is NOT good.

- @firefishy1

LearnOSM.org provides a simple-to-use, step by step approach to learning how to make maps with OpenStreetMap. If you are new to OSM the Beginner’s Guide is the best place to start. Over seven chapters this guide shows how to get started with OSM, how to start mapping, and how you can use tools such as GPS, aerial photos, and pens and paper to make maps that anyone can use.

- LearnOSM.org

Louisiana Company Sues Google and Microsoft for Mapping Patent Infringement

Lake Charles, Louisiana-based Transcenic said in court documents that Google's Streetview and Google Earth and Microsoft's Streetside infringe its technology which covers systems for capturing and navigating within panoramic images.

AOL's MapQuest is also named. The patent 7,050,102 is titled “Spatial referenced photographic system with navigation arrangement.” Filed 11/28/2000 & Granted 5/23/2006.

- Reuters

Update: Arianna Huffington Will Oversee MapQuest

The latest on who runs what at AOL/HuffPo: "A few months after being named COO of the Huffington Post Media Group (NYSE: AOL), Jon Brod’s responsibilities are being narrowed to focus on running Patch" (which he co-founded with AOL CEO Tim Armstrong) and MapQuest.

- PaidContent

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MapQuest API Tidbits

Announced this week:

• The addition of transit directions to the Directions API (blog post)
• The availability of an Open Static Map API that allow users to request static maps where the underlying data is built with OpenStreetMap and other open data (blog post)

- MapQuest Tech Writer KY

MapQuest Map Builder

Creating robust maps for your business, your blog, or your website just became easier with MapQuest Map Builder Beta!

MapQuest Map Builder enables you to create custom interactive maps quickly and easily. 

- MapQuest Blog