Google Maps v3 Update with Smooth Zoom

Bing Maps

Google Maps

Have you seen Google Maps version 3 implemented websites lately? Then you might have noticed something different. One that you have seen before in Bing Maps which is smooth zoom. (example here). Smooth zoom makes zooming in and out of maps more visually appealing than with their old implementation which is just boxes loading in the side of the map whenever you zoom in and out of the map. It makes it a whole lot easier to determine where you are going to or moving away from the map. As you zoom in and out, the texts, roadways and even the landmarks gracefully fade into view or fade out depending on whether you are zooming in or out of the map. This is more visually appealing than with the old Google maps as shown here where it doesn't fade in and out landmarks and texts into view.


I think Google is amping up its Google maps service after a recent announcement that Bing Maps, powered by Navteq, will start on it's Streetside which will rival Google's Streetview. But whatever it is, Google is serious about making it's Google Maps better than the competition. And with better product support and more developers favoring the Google Maps platform on website which I use myself in some website projects, I'm sure Bing has a lot of catching up to do in terms of product support and developer interest.