Google Map developers get GeoJSON in the its map API for better maps. Plus: NVIDIA GeForce 337.50 BETA driver available today, SwiftIQ leverages Google Cloud Connects to unleash Hadoop ecosystem, and 11 new APIs.
Google Maps Adds GeoJSON to API for Layering Data
Google Maps has added a new feature to its Javascript API; GeoJSON lets developers encode a wide range of data in their maps. As a visual example, here are two maps taken from Google's GeoDeveloper's Blog. The first one is a map of earthquakes. The second maps the intensity of those earthquakes over it:
Now look at the same with data about size layered in through GeoJSON:
As Todd R. Weiss reported over the weekend in week, this is a major advance:
The addition means that Google Maps developers will be able to use GeoJSON to encode a wide range of geographic data structures in their maps.
Jen Kovnats writes in the blog, using it is simple:
How does it work? The new Data layer allows you to treat a dataset like… well, a set of data, rather than individual and unrelated features. If you have a GeoJSON file, you can now load it on the map simply by adding a single line of code to your JavaScript:
map.data.loadGeoJSON(‘earthquakes.json’);
Here's the link to get started with GeoJSON.
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- NVIDIA GeForce 337.50 BETA Driver Available On 7th April – Features DirectX Optimizations To Improve GeForce Cards Performance
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- Google Maps Developers Gain GeoJSON Support for Richer Maps
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11 New APIs
Today we had 11 new APIs added to our API directory including a movie data retrieval service, a peer-to-peer download service, a usps customs declaration service, a usps domestic mail delivery approximation service, a usps merchandise return service label service and a usps hold for pickup label service. Below are more details on each of these new APIs.
AcidJs IMDb Fetcher API: The AcidJs IMDb Fetcher API can retrieve several kinds of data from IMDb, the Internet Movie Database, although it is not affiliated with IMDb. The API can (1) search IMDb for movies, television shows, or celebrities, (2) retrieve data for a given title (including information such as release date, duration, image, credits, description, country of origin), (3) retrieve person data (including name, biographical information, photos, filmography) and (4) link to IMDb images.
Peer5 Downloader API: Peer5 offers a JavaScript file downloader that uses both web servers and other site visitors (using Chrome or Firefox browsers) to make downloading files faster, but still secure and reliable. End users downloading a file simultaneously transmit a portion of the file's data to each other. The more end users download files, the more data sharing takes place, which helps decrease bandwidth costs, and increase download speeds. If no end users are available, or if p2p sharing becomes interrupted, the download is temporarily cached, and the process reverts to your web server.
API users can use the Peer5 platform for files, video, audio, and site acceleration.
USPS Customs Forms API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that can be used to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
This set of Customs Forms APIs are used both by the USPS to approve mail that is leaving the country, and by authorities in countries that require the forms to approve mail for delivery within their jurisdictions.
USPS Domestic Mail Service Standards API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that can be used to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
The Domestic Mail Service Standards APIs can help predict when a package will arrive at its destination. APIs are available for Priority, Package (which includes Standard Post Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail and Media Mail) First Class, and Express Mail types. The USPS reiterates that these are predictions, or standards, and not guaranteed dates.
USPS Electronic Merchandise Return Service API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that can be used to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
With this the Electronic Merchandise Return Service API, senders can generate merchandise return labels to make package returns simpler for recipients.
USPS Hold for Pickup API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that customers may integrate into their own websites to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
This service allows an application to find a postal facility where Hold for Pickup service is offered, and to create Hold for Pickup labels for Express, Priority, or First Class mail.
USPS International Shipping Labels API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that can be used to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
This set of International shipping APIs creates labels for senders wishing to use Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, or First Class Mail International services.
USPS Online Express Mail Label API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that customers may integrate into their own websites to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
With this service, senders can create a Priority Mail Express label and an online customer record for a parcel shipped within the U.S.
USPS Open and Distribute Labels API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that can be used to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
With this Open/Distribute Priority API, senders can expedite batch shipping by enclosing individual pieces of mail in an approved USPS Priority shipping container to be opened and distributed at a mail processing facility or destination delivery unit.
USPS Package Pickup API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that can be used to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
This suite of 5 Package Pickup API tools work together to help determine pickup service availability, schedule a pickup, cancel a pickup, change a pickup, and track a requested pickup. These tools work with the free, next day package pickup service, not the fee-based pickup on demand USPS service.
USPS SDC Service Standards API: The U.S. Postal Service provides a suite of USPS Web Tools that can be used to validate or find mailing addresses, track and confirm mail delivery, calculate shipping rates, and create domestic or international shipping labels.
The Service Delivery Calculator API provides delivery date commitments, not just estimates, for all mail classes.