Google Maps zooms into AUS

Google today unveiled Google Maps Australia, an online mapping service providing Australian business listings and driving directions that are accessible from a PC or mobile phone.

Until now, the website simply provided flat street maps and satellite images, but the upgrade today means it now offers virtually identical functionality to its US counterpart.

Carl Sjogreen, a senior product manager at Google, said that, in addition to basic contact information and street addresses, the business listings also included “richer information that we get from the web”, such as hours of operations, the types of payment the business accepts and even whether or not there is a wireless hotspot on the premises.

All of the information can be accessed from either a PC or a mobile phone, provided the latter is equipped with the free Google Maps Mobile application.

Google will also compete with the online version of the Yellow Pages run by Testra’s Sensis arm, which offers business listings and driving directions using maps provided by sister service WhereIs.com.

Source: SMH

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