Transit directions for Adelaide in Google Maps

Getting from Victoria Square to Upper Sturt Park via public transport in Adelaide just got easier, with the launch of transit directions for the city on Google Maps. Adelaide is the second Australian city to get transit directions on Google Maps, after we announced it was launching in Perth earlier this year.

Using information from Adelaide Metro, you can see public transport directions and timetables for Adelaide in Google Maps.

Want to know where the nearest bus-stop is? Planning a trip a week or two in advance? Figuring out a new commuting schedule? The transit feature on Google Maps lets you to customise your searches by specific date and time, so that you can see what's up and coming, and how to get where you need to be.



I'm looking forward to using the feature when I visit Adelaide for my friends' wedding (hi Trav and Jem!) next year. I can now guarantee I won't be late for the ceremony ...

We want to keep providing Australians with useful local tools that make their lives easier, and we're excited about working with other transit agencies to roll out transit directions on Google Maps in even more Australian cities.

Posted by Andrew Foster, Product Manager

Improved look for Street View in Australia

Street View in Google Maps has been quite a hit! In fact, when we launched it in August, covering most of the country, searches on Google by Australians for Street View increased by over 5000%.

Lots of Australian businesses are embedding Street View into their websites, and we're hearing great stories of Australians who are using it to find shops and restaurants, places to live, or just explore the country.

Today, thanks to feedback from our users, we've now made Street View even better and easier to use.


View Larger Map

You can read all about the improvements on the LatLong blog here. Or watch the video below where the famous "Pegman" takes you through the streets of Sydney.



Happy exploring!

Posted by Andrew Foster, Product Manager

My Maps Australia Awards 2008 - Three Days to Go

The 2008 My Maps Australia Awards are soon coming to a close. Over the past month we've been receiving My Maps from across the country highlighting your special knowledge of Australia. Some great examples include:

Photodiary of a Nomad
Big Things of Australia
Brisbane Coffee

Have an idea for a My Map you would like to share with the world? There's still time to enter the 2008 My Maps Australia Awards and receive one of ten "Best My Maps Awards" or the grand prize of a 13" 2.1 GHz Macbook and eternal Australian mapping fame. Entries close this Friday, November 28.

Posted by Jori Pearsall, Product Marketing Manager

Keep in touch with voice and video chat

Today we're launching a new feature that lets you have free, high-quality voice and video chats with friends and family anywhere in Australia or overseas. Gmail voice and video chat takes place all without leaving the browser -- no more switching to another window or running another program.

Sometimes there's no substitute for speaking to and seeing someone, and in tighter economic times, an online video or voice chat is a cost-effective option. If a smiley face and a 'lol' aren't getting your message across, with a simple click you can now share your real meaning face-to-face over a video connection.



All that's needed is a webcam and small browser plugin, and you can start video chatting with your friends, family, and colleagues in Gmail. If you don't have a webcam, you can simply chat by voice.

To get started, visit this site.

Posted by Ashley Gorringe, Product Marketing Manager