If I build a extension in my Software which opens Google Maps in the default browser with the Address of a Contact, do I need a Licence and start a plan at Google?
Like: https://www.google.de/maps/search/Kongo+Kinshasa
On some Pages I found, was mentioned that the use of Google Maps Urls are free, but I'm not sure.
There's no need to start a plan or acquire a licence from Google to be able to use the Maps URLs.
You just have to observe Google Maps Platform's Terms of Service in implementing this service in your use case as Google Maps URLs are also bound by these terms.
And lastly, you are correct to say that Maps URLs are free of charge. You won't even need an API key to use it.
Related
Regardless of the platform I would like to launch Google Maps and optionally perform some actions like showing location, route etc
Google provides Google Maps URLs which allows you to do just that. You can build a universal, cross-platform URL to launch Google Maps and perform searches, get directions and navigation, and display map views and panoramic images. The URL syntax is the same regardless of the platform in use.
You don't need a Google API key to use Google Maps URLs.
Google Map URLs
Recently, in May 2017, Google launched the new Google Maps URLs API. You can read about this API in the official documentation
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/urls/guide
This API is intended to provide universal, cross-platform Google Maps URLs. So you can use it with websites, mobile apps, etc.
Search, directions, display map and display street view panorama modes are available in this API.
I hope this helps!
We have an application that detects nearby business of a particular genre. To test the app I want to add few fake business in the locality.
Does google provide any sandbox type of stuff for google maps?
Can i add places via Javascript test my app and then remove them?
What should be the best way ?
did you want to find business places with google maps javascript api without any databases in your backend script?
i think you must add places in your database and use it with google maps api to show/find places for your users.
I've a small self-hosted website hosted on my home server via no-ip.com, wonder if it's legit/possible to use Google maps on it and what would be the viable options if not?
What do you mean with "to use Google maps on it"?
If you just want to allow your users to see a map and navigate on it, it is possible. Google has published a SDK (Google Maps API) that allows other people to interrogate Google servers, collect data (maps), show maps to users and perform a few operations related to positioning and navigation. There is a web (javascript) toolkit for this here:
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/
Other info here:
https://developers.google.com/maps/
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/
If you want to host a clone of the Google Mpas service on your PC, then no, this is not possible (both for legal and technical reasons).
A well-known, largely appreciated alternative to Google Maps is openstreetmap:
http://openstreetmap.org/
I'd like to create a web app something like Zillow.com but not in the US. I'm wondering if I can use the Google Maps API for free for that and if not, what are cheap alternatives to get me started? Thank you in advance!
You can use OpenStreetMap in commercial products. All you have to do is quote them as the source of your map data.
You can find the detailed license information here: http://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
You can use the Google Maps API for free if your maps api implementation is publicly available (free). If not, you must purchase a Google Maps API for Business License.
The following is taken from the free Google Maps API license:
(a) Free Access (No Fees). Your Maps API Implementation must be
generally accessible to users without charge and must not require a
fee-based subscription or other fee-based restricted access. This rule
applies to Your Content and any other content in your Maps API
Implementation, whether Your Content or the other content is in
existence now or is added later.
(b) Public Access (No Firewall). Your Maps API implementation must not
operate (i) only behind a firewall; or (ii) only on an internal
network (except during the development and testing phase); or (iii) in
a closed community (for example, through invitation-only access).
If the Google Maps licenses won't work for you, you could use OpenStreetMap.
I'm developing an iPhone app that uses a map and show direction between two points on the map, the problem is i cant use the Google maps because it does not support street naming in my country, so instead I'm using CloudMade maps.
The question is can i still query Google servers with direction requests and use the results on the CloudMade map? Is the Google license allows it?
According to Google's terms of service you cannot place any content obtained from Google's service on any other map without written permission from Google.
10.1.1
(g) No Use of Content without a Google Map. You must not use or
display the Content without a corresponding Google map, unless you are
explicitly permitted to do so in the Maps APIs Documentation, or
through written permission from Google. For example, you must not use
geocodes obtained through the Service except in conjunction with a
Google map, but you may display Street View imagery without a
corresponding Google map because the Maps APIs Documentation
explicitly permits you to do so.
I would contact Google, they may be able to work with you in your situation.
Update:
Google contact information is a bit sparse for free maps.
Here is a link to the permissions tool:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/permissions/geoguidelines.html
This is a link to Google Enterprise support:
http://www.google.com/support/enterprise/bin/answer.py?answer=142244#maps
Or you may want to try and contact a Google office in your country if one exists. I do not believe their legal department has a direct contact information for the public.
http://www.google.com/intl/en/about/corporate/company/address.html
An here is the Google premier sales contact information. I don't think you would need to obtain a premier license (they are expensive) with the information you provided about your app but the sales representative may be able to point you in the right direction.
http://www.google.com/support/enterprise/bin/request.py?contact_type=gme&utm_campaign=en-codepremier