<aside> 🗃️ Table of Contents

1. A quick introduction to Google Maps
2. Map features launched by Google
3. What’s the need for the constant innovation?
4. What PMs can learn from the constant innovation strategy?
5. How PMs can apply the constant innovation strategy? </aside>

<aside> 🧠 Product Management Strategy: Constant Innovation

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<aside> ⏰ Time To Read: 13 Minutes

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👀 A quick introduction to Google Maps

Google Maps was first launched in February 2005. The development of the platform began in 2004 when Google acquired Where 2 Technologies, a startup founded by Lars Rasmussen and Jens Rasmussen. The two brothers had developed a web mapping service that combined satellite imagery with mapping data, and Google saw the potential for the technology to enhance its search and advertising offerings.

After the acquisition, the Rasmussen brothers joined Google and began working on what would become Google Maps. The platform was initially released as a desktop web application that allowed users to view satellite imagery and obtain driving directions.

Google Maps quickly became a popular mapping service due to its ease of use and the range of features it offered. In 2007, Google released a version of Google Maps for mobile devices.

Some stats about Google Maps

• Google Maps has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide as of 2021
• Google Maps provides maps and directions for over 220 countries and territories & have over 200 million businesses listed on Google Maps
• Google Maps Street View covers over 1.6 crores kilo-meters of road in 87 countries
• Over 70% of Google Maps users access the service through mobile devices
• Google Maps provides real-time traffic information and navigation for over 200 cities

Google Maps uses satellite imagery from sources like NASA and the European Space Agency, along with mapping data, to create high-quality maps and images of the Earth's surface while street View uses specialized cameras on vehicles and other devices to capture panoramic images of streets and locations.

Google’s machine learning algorithms then analyze user data to provide personalized recommendations and suggestions as well as real-time traffic data collected from GPS devices and smartphones.

📍 Map features launched by Google