Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Indianapolis International Airport among features in latest Google Maps innovation: indoor mapping

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Navigating the Indianapolis International Airport just got a little easier for those with Android smartphones.

The airport is among those adding their building maps to the latest feature with the online mapping feature Google Maps. Online or with the Google Maps app, Android phone users will be able to view the airport’s terminal, concourses and parking garage – including shops, restaurants, restrooms, ATMs, departure gates and more.

"We're pleased to be among the very first airports to provide indoor maps for Android users, and as we're entering the busy holiday travel season and gearing up to host Super Bowl visitors in February, the availability of this new Google Maps feature is ideal," said John D. Clark III, executive director and CEO of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. "Our terminal offers world-class features, including great restaurants and shopping, and this service will make it more convenient for our guests to take full advantage of them, especially for those on a tight schedule."

Indianapolis is one of several airports participating in the new feature; others include Chicago O’Hare, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International, and San Francisco International, Google said.

The Mall of American in Minnesota, along with several retail chains including IKEA, The Home Depot and select Macy’s, are also participating. The web giant is inviting other businesses to submit their information for inclusion in the new indoor mapping feature.

Users will be able to view indoor layouts and features by zooming in to a participating building within the already established Google Maps interface, which already offers robust outdoor mapping and direction services. The new feature can even determine which floor of a building a user is on, and tailor the display from there.

"It's like we have taken the map that you see on a kiosk at a store or mall and put it on your phone," Steve Lee, a product management director for Google, told CBS News.

The indoor maps feature is part of Google Maps 6.0 for Android-powered devices. Users will need to update the Google Maps application on their devices in order to access these maps, but no updates will be required after that one-time installation to get new or updated indoor maps. CBS News reports Google wouldn’t say whether the feature will eventually be available on desktop computers, or on other mobile platforms, such as the Apple iOS.

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