Announced at the Google I/O developer conference, Google is opening up its Places API to third-party developers.Talking to Read Write Web Thor Mitchell, product manager of the Google Maps API explained that the Places API will give developers access to more than 50 million places and several new features.
Amongst the new features:
- A globally consistent type scheme for Places, spanning more than 100 types such as bar, restaurant, and lodging.
- Name and type based query support.
- A significantly simpler key based authentication scheme.
- Global coverage across every country covered by Google Maps.
- Google APIs Console integration.
- Instant reflection of new Places submitted by an app in subsequent searches made by that app, with new Places shared with all apps after moderation.
- Real time reranking of search results based on current check-in activity, so that Places that are currently popular are automatically ranked higher in searches by your app.
For more information, click on the source link.
Source: Read Write Web — Google Opens Places API to the Public