Who does not like using Google Earth or Google Maps? Seriously. Is there a more fun way to be highly productive? Mac or PC or iPhone, Google Earth and Google Maps are where its at. Literally.
For Mac users, forget using a browser window to dig into Google Maps. Use eMaps instead. It’s a free, useful, attractive standalone Mac app which does Google Maps the way God intended.
Try The Free Google Maps App
Yes, I know Google Maps in Safari works just fine. It’s easy to map a To and From destination with a couple of clicks. A turn-by-turn list is a click away. It’s just that eMaps is more fun.
What you get is an app with street maps, street views, satellite overlays and fun.
There’s driving directions, search, traffic information, as well as geocoding, customized maps, and a way to save favorite places.
Try that using Safari. A browser window is OK in a pinch, but there’s a reason the standalone app for Google Maps is a part of your iPhone’s basic apps.
Find Your House With A Click
eMaps is a front end to Google Maps. That’s about it. Take a look at what you get for free:
If you look closely, you can see the block where I live with three kids, two dogs, one mean old cat, a soccer mom SUV, and a husband watering the lawn, taking out garbage, washing the car, and changing diapers. See? That’s us.
Unlike the browser version of Google Maps, eMaps comes with a Mac customizable Toolbar which works as it does in other Mac apps. There’s also Satellite view, Hybrid view, as well as close ups of Mars, the Moon, and the sky. Don’t ask why. But it’s there. No extra cost.
You can also zoom into eMaps locations and find Videos, Photos, and Webcams near specific locations. Did I mention Google Maps Street View? It’s there but you’ll need the Flash plug-in.
eMaps is as straightforward as a Mac app can get. Nearly all the tools you need can be dumped into the Toolbar making a location search truly point and click.
One click gets you the Controls (slider zoom bar and mover control) famous in the browser version of Google Maps.
Getting direction from one location to another is as easy as dragging and dropping pins—one for start, one for destination.
The Traffic button in the Toolbar is particularly cool.
Click it to see how traffic fares on nearby thoroughfares (doesn’t work on all streets). Green for uncongested. Red for congested. Yellow for something in between.
Toolbar tools let you capture an image of the map so you can email it. You can also capture and save the map’s settings. eMaps simply makes using Google Maps easier and more friendly, therefore more useful.
How’s that for a free app you can use?
About Alexis Kayhill
eMaps together with Gabriel Otte’s OSXPlanet are perfect for teaching your kids geography. eMaps looks fabulous on a 27 inch screen, as does OSXplanet. I’ll send you an eMaps screenshot if you ask.