Hacking Google Maps and Google Earth (ExtremeTech)

Chapter 2 — The Google Local Interface 33

With some further programming tricks within the browser, you can build in additional overlays

using JavaScript and images that can be overlaid on top of the Google Maps display.

These custom overlay images will not move like the built-in overlay lines do when you scroll or

move the map, or when you change the zoom level.

Wrapping Up

The basics of the Google Maps API interface — the ability to zoom; move about the map; and

overlay information such as map points, information windows, and routes on top of a Google

Map — are all functions that you can add to your own map when you develop applications

using the Google Maps API.

In short, Google Local is a superb example of the capabilities of the Google Maps API when

you start to combine information from multiple sources into your application. Creating these

elements is not as complicated as it seems; you can start by understanding the classes and func-

tions supported by the Google Maps API.