Google Map Maker allowed users to collaboratively expand and update the service's mapping worldwide but was discontinued from March 2017. Google Maps offers an API that allows maps to be embedded on third-party websites, and offers a locator for businesses and other organizations in numerous countries around the world. The service's front end utilizes JavaScript, XML, and Ajax. After additional acquisitions of a geospatial data visualization company and a real-time traffic analyzer, Google Maps was launched in February 2005. In October 2004, the company was acquired by Google, which converted it into a web application. Google Maps began as a C++ desktop program developed by brothers Lars and Jens Rasmussen at Where 2 Technologies.

As of 2020, Google Maps was being used by over one billion people every month around the world.

It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets ( Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling by foot, car, bike, air (in beta) and public transportation. Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. The photos are better at eye level, so set THETA on a tripod or hold a monopod in your hand and shoot at about eye height.C++ (back-end), JavaScript, XML, Ajax (UI) Take pictures of the places you want to upload to Street View at intervals of about 3 meters. When you turn on THETA’s Wi-Fi, it will appear in the Wi-Fi list on your smartphone. When you connect THETA to your smartphone via Wi-Fi, the Street View app will recognize that THETA is connected and will automatically display photos taken with THETA. You too can contribute 360 photos to Street View! Why not give it a try? It’s exciting to see 360-degree photos you took using THETA in Google Maps Street View! There are still many roads that cannot be seen on Street View, such as small paths and side roads that Google cars cannot enter. However, with a THETA 360 degree camera, you can easily participate in making Street View images.

Google earth 360 view