Ten years on, Google Maps still on the quest for the perfect map

Published February 9, 2015 5:04pm

Google Maps, the Internet giant's navigation service, turned 10 over the weekend - and Google is excited to navigate the path toward the "perfect map" in the next 10 years.

In a blog post, the Google Maps team also gave its users a "planet-size" thank you to all who use and contributed to the map in the last decade.

"As we look ahead to the next 10 years, we hope you're as excited as we are to navigate uncharted territory in pursuit of the perfect map—together. A planet-size thank you to everyone who has navigated, explored and contributed to the map with us over the past decade," it said.

Google Maps was created February 8, 2005, with Google trying to figure out "better ways for you to get around."

An infographic of Google Maps' first 10 years showed the service came to mobile phones in the United States in April 2005, two months after it launched on desktop PCs.

By May 2005, Google launched Google Earth, using satellite imagery. In May 2007, Google expanded its mapping service to include Street View.

In June 2008, Google launched Google Map Maker, allowing anyone to update geographic information in Google Maps and Google Earth.

"Through projects like Ground Truth and passionate communities like Map Maker, we strive to provide you with the most comprehensive, accurate and useful maps. And with Google Maps for mobile, you no longer have to worry about getting lost or deciding where to go next when you’re on the move," Google Maps said.

By October 2009, Google Maps included turn-by-turn navigation on mobile, and by September 2010, Street View became available on all seven continents.

In September 2011, Google acquired Zagat to help users find the best places. By June 2012, Google used Trekker to capture Street View imagery of beautiful places inaccessible by car.

By June 2013, Google acquired Waze to help outsmart traffic - after the Maps mobile app launched on iOS in December 2012.

In August 2014, Google acquired Skybox imaging. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

Tags: google, googlemaps