Google Mapping KML - Applications

Google used the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas this week as a launching pad for mobile maps functions based on key markup language (KML) files, downloadable from fellow Trekker developers.

KML files hosted on a website can be downloaded to mobile phones to create interactive maps - AJAX conversation boxes pop up with say, crop circle maps or restaurants near certain hotels.

The list of possible maps is limited only by imagination or need as developers think them up and create them. Once a web-based URL is provided for the map, interested users can enter it into their phones.

Google is showing off the new capabilities with mapped out sci-fi locales. The team has also produced a video to show what can be done with it. They also have an interactive demo.