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19 November 2008

CloudMade Web Lite API (pre Alpha)

CloudMade API (pre Alpha)

"Our [CloudMade] aims are to continue the democratization of geo data and to expand access to open geo data through a range of simple yet powerful tools and APIs."

CloudMade Web Lite API
Early Days but looking promising in the 'lite' way to get web mapping on your site without the large restrictions other mapping api's have.

Now there is two Mapping API's that are in early stages of development.

Web Lite - API
http://www.cloudmade.com/products/web-maps-lite

Features:
  • Take advantage of the most up-to-date source of map data on the web
  • Benefit from the rich OpenStreetMap dataset, with features such as footpaths and cycle paths that are not found on other online maps
  • Be free from restrictive licensing - use our maps for routing, real time tracking and as a basemap to derive new layers
Mobile Maps API*
http://www.cloudmade.com/products/mobile-tiles
Features:
  • Create applications for mobile devices that use CloudMade's mobile optimized maps
  • Benefit from the rich OpenStreetMap dataset, with features such as footpaths and cycle paths that are not found on other online maps
  • Take advantage of the most up-to-date source of map data on the web
*untested by Mapperz currently

Examples:

Try the drag marker with panning and zooming functionally added.
http://mapperz.googlepages.com/cloudmade_web_lite_api.html


speed test onload: 0.85 milliseconds (YSlow!)

To test it - Mapperz used the OSM data in Virtual Earth as a comparison
http://mapperz.googlepages.com/osm_in_VE.html
speed test onload: 1.25 milliseconds (YSlow!)

Yes currently the bigger API's have more functionality but their Terms restrict in what you can and cannot do with your mapping, so the future for a lightweight Mapping API is looking good.

Web Maps Lite API is currently in 'closed pre-Alpha'
Let's look forward to a Public Beta.

Though you can view the Official Step-by-Step Examples
http://www.cloudmade.com/products/web-maps-lite/examples/1

Another good move by Cloudmade is the OSM data

"This is where you can find extracts of maps from different places around the world. From here you can download:"

  • OSM XML extracts by country
  • Garmin Map Files (OSM.err edition)
  • Osmosis country bounding polygon
  • Shapefile extracts by country
  • Navit maps by country
  • GPX POI by country
  • TomTom POI by country
  • OSM XML feature extracts by country
http://downloads.cloudmade.com/

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3 Comments:

At Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:06:00 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This looks exciting, any word when they will try to put it out on Beta? Also, I hope CloudMade can include hiking trails and other non-urban points of interest.

 
At Thursday, November 20, 2008 11:03:00 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice Mapping. thanks for sharing..Digital mapping services also plays an important role in this field.
regards
Web Mapping services

 
At Wednesday, December 24, 2008 7:57:00 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great to see Mapperz featuring CloudMade maps!

@postmapper - Both Web Maps Lite and the Mobile Maps API are available for full use by developers. Head over to http://cloudmade.com/developers to find out more.

There's going to be more, exciting releases from CloudMade in early 2009. Right now we have a closed testing program in which we're trying out some new services that will complement our current Web and Mobile offerings.

Any super keen geo hackers out there who can't wait until early 2009 can apply to take part in our pre-Alpha testing. To do so, drop an email to info@cloudmade.com

 

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