Google Inc yesterday launched a new version of Google Maps locally that integrates personalized tools and a yellow pages function, a service that is expected to increase Google's ad revenue.
Google Maps, which was officially launched at 10pm on Wednesday, provides free local search for directions, street views and satellite and aerial imagery.
Businesses can register their company information in Google Taiwan's free local business center for Google Maps users to find their locations.
Advertises wishing to target specific groups of consumers can also use the service combined with Google's Adwords to increase their exposure, said Lin Yu-kuan (林裕寬), an associate product manager of Google's international product team.
Some exclusive services of local Google Maps include real-time highway traffic video clips and parking lot occupancy rates in Taipei City, Lin said.
Google set up a research and development center in Taiwan in June last year to custom develop tools and services for Taiwanese users and support other Google teams worldwide.
Google worked with Sinyi Real Estate Inc (信義房屋) to allow consumers to search property listings and images of the nation's biggest housing agent on Google Maps.
Users can use personalized tools to mark frequently used locations, insert pictures from online photo albums such as Panoramio and Picasa and video clips from YouTube into different destinations.
The mapping service is also available on mobile devices that support Java 2 Platform, Windows Mobile 2003 5.0 and BlackBerry wireless e-mail solution.
The R&D team is now working on adding Global Positioning System into Google Maps, Lin said, without giving a timeframe.
Meanwhile, Yahoo-Kimo Inc (
Boasting nearly 1 million business listings for a wide range of companies such as restaurants, hotels and entertainment facilities, Yahoo-Kimo hopes to retain its leading position in the sector.
Yahoo-Kimo launched Yahoo Maps in 2004.
The arrival rate of Yahoo Maps was 35 percent in August, the highest among similar service providers, Kelly Hsu (許卉妃), a public relations official at Yahoo-Kimo said, citing a report by Taipei-based online market research firm InsightXplorer Ltd (創市際).
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