Google maps api pricing android Continue Game developers can now use Google Maps APIs to develop their augmented reality games. Google has integrated the Unity game engine into Google Maps, making it incredibly easy for developers to create AR games. Developers will be able to test the new system at a game developers conference in San Francisco next week. Augmented reality games such as Pokemon GO have been incredibly successful, and new AR games, such as Ghostbusters World and Jurassic World Alive, are ready to be huge. But developing the game is tricky because you have to understand the real physical environments around your players, no matter where they may be on the planet. That's why Google now offers AR game developers access to the Google Maps API. By using real-time map updates and rich location data, developers can focus more on making their games amazing rather than worrying about designing interactions with real-world environments. Google To make things even easier, Google mixed MAPS API with game engine Unity. Buildings, roads, parks, and other real-world objects are automatically turned into GameObjects in Unity, so developers will only have to worry about texturing and designing these objects to match the universe of their game. The two AR games mentioned earlier in this article used the Google Maps API during development. Han Sung-jin, CEO of 4:33, which developed Ghostbusters World, said: Building game interactions around real-world locations on a global scale and finding places that are user-related and fun to play is challenging. Google Maps APIs have helped us incorporate real-world locations that match users into our game. Users from all over the world can experience the virtual world of Ghostbusters through our game using Google location data. Google will present a demo of the new Google Maps Unity engine at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco next week if you want to give it a test. Tagged: GoogleGoogle Maps Just because Google Maps comes pre-loaded on your phone and tablet doesn't mean it's the only choice for you to use when it comes to display. Google has invested a lot of time and money in creating Maps one of the best navigation apps out there, and has incredibly detailed mapping data and additional features such as Street View and satellite imagery. It does not, however, have some of the frequently requested features such as true offline card downloads and multi-stage navigation. There are a few other apps out there that have these features though, and many are even free. Let's look at alternatives for Google Maps on Android. Nokia's HERE Maps is likely choice when it comes to replacing Google Maps with Android. With highly detailed maps that rival or exceed Google depending on where you are, as well as a large database of points of interest, and now an internal display of popular buildings, ESY really stands out. Going Transition Step forward, HERE allows you to download full maps to entire countries if you want, meaning you can rely on maps even when you're in places without a data plan. Since the exciting beta version of HERE Maps has added even more new features, and it's worth seeing if you're not satisfied with Google Maps. Download: HERE Maps (free) Although Waze is actually now owned by Google, and some of its features have been integrated into Google Maps, the original Waze app still lives in the Play Store. We doubt anyone will say that Waze is a beautiful app, but the information it provides to drivers is first class. You will get information about gas stations (including prices), rest stops, meals, construction, slowing down, accidents and policing along your route so that you can dodge slow routes and get where you need to go. Many people will be happy with the Waze data that is now available in Google Maps, but if you want to contribute back or see all the data Waze has to offer you can keep this installed. Download: Waze (Free) Scout GPS is an interesting app that offers mapping, but also social integration with chat and meetup functionality, built right in. You get OpenStreetMap maps with traffic, points of interest and parking information baked in, but also have the ability to coordinate with friends, so it's easy to find each other. The idea is that you don't have to switch between apps to let people know when you're on your way or close to arrival, and while not everyone uses their display apps in this way, it can appeal to you. Download: Scout GPS (free) Map'quest is often seen as an early mapping platform that has been completely supplanted by Google Maps on the Internet, but the Map'est app on Android is still alive and well with millions of downloads. The Map-kest app offers high-definition maps, solid lists of interests, multi-part step-by-step navigation and ETA exchange. That's pretty much all you need from a mapping app, and Map'st has it all with a pretty respectable performance to download. Download: MapQuest (free) MAPS. ME is an application built on the crowdfunding database OpenStreetMap, and offers its own set of features built on mapping data. You will get full autonomous map support here for 345 countries and islands, according to MAPS. ME, including offline search and direction. In addition to these basic functions is MAPS. ME also includes bookmarks, tracking orientation when moving, and sharing a location. It's also free, which is always nice to see. Download: MAPS. ME (Free) Sygic Maps is powered by TomTom, and while The data map is not a fantastic app that offers all the features that you are probably looking for. There's full offline mapping and in turn navigation support, as well as points of interest from TripAdvisor, parking spaces offers, lane guides, voice guides and speed limit warnings while driving. Sygic Maps is free to use, use, Offers in-app purchases for some premium features such as traffic data and access to speed camera locations. Download: Sygic Maps (free, in-app purchase) OsmAnd Maps is another free app that accepts OpenStreetMap data and adds to its own interface and features. You will get information about points of interest from Wikipedia, as well as take turns driving, cycling and walking. There are both day and night views of the app, as well as several options for changing the type of maps. Naturally, there is full support offline as well, including the choice of downloading full maps or just road maps to save on storage space. Download: OsmAnd Maps and Navigation (free) CoPilot is one of the most popular paid mapping apps out there, offering full offline support and all the features of the basic standalone GPS device you normally install in your car. The data display is pretty good, but we have to say that performance in the application as a whole is pretty bad compared to what you get from the other options listed in this article. At $10 for the US and $45 for Europe you really need like what CoPilot does, but it's another option to compare free selection. Download: CoPilot GPS (free, in app updates) We've listed eight great options here if you want to take your display seriously and haven't found Google Maps to be right for you. But we know there are even more out there that some people have found themselves worth - let us know in the comments what your favorites are, whether they are listed here or not! But with the system this powerful thing is starting to get complicated, and it's not always obvious how to do the most basic things you want to do in a mapping application. Whether you're opening Google Maps for the first time on a new phone or just needing to retrain the app you've been keeping on your home screen for months, we're here to help. Read together for our quick guide to the basics of Google Maps on Android. Few of us are going to open Google Maps and scroll around aimlessly until we find something interesting - most of the time we open the app with a clear destination in mind. Fortunately, Google Maps is driven by the enormous power of Google search - just click on the search box at the top of the interface and hang (or talk!) is all you need. You can search states, cities, retailers, types of stores or just a full address if you know this - and Google Maps will fill the results with what it thinks is up-to-date information. If you just click on the search bar and scroll up rather than in the search, you can see your latest searches (on any device from your Google account and the Explore section nearby and popular search teams such as gas stations and ATMs. Choose an item from search results or suggested items, and you'll be whisked (virtually, anyway) to that location on the map. While many of us think of apps such as OpenTable and TripAdvisor for finding interesting places to go and dine, Google Maps has a fairly reliable list of places and restaurants for you to discover. When Google Maps is sure it's locked in your location - from GPS, cellular networks and Wi-Fi - the bar will pop up at the bottom of the interface with a small star and around the place on it.