Google announced updated desktop maps a few weeks ago, available by invite only. We received ours this week, and had a play. It’s been brought into line with their incredibly successful mobile apps, streamlining the discovery of businesses, and delivering excellent journey planner services. We particularly like that users can drag their mouse across the map to create ideal journey routes, making it more customisable than ever. It’s a completely different experience than on mobile, something that mobile marketers should keep in mind.
And elsewhere we were interested to see the emergence of a new mapping platform, which is pushing the use of hyperlocal data.
Called BlockAvenue, these maps are aiming to integrate local data like never before, to help those living in an area or perhaps looking to move there. It includes functionality for people to talk with self-nominated ‘Neighbourhood Specialists’, creating contactable, on-the-ground experts. Included in the various data is crime figures, amenities and tips. We think it could be particularly useful for local politicians and other community stakeholders, and while we’re not sure how successful this platform will be, it’s an interesting approach to socialising maps – something we’ll see more of in the future.
These maps are aiming to integrate local data like never before, to help those living in an area or perhaps looking to move there. It includes functionality for people to talk with self-nominated ‘Neighbourhood Specialists’, creating contactable, on-the-ground experts. Included in the various data is crime figures, amenities and tips. We think it could be particularly useful for local politicians and other community stakeholders, and while we’re not sure how successful this platform will be, it’s an interesting approach to socialising maps – something we’ll see more of in the future.
M&C Saatchi Performance is an award-winning, full-service performance marketing agency focused on driving measurable results for organisations in all industries.
