New York — Despite ever-declining economy where achieving “satiations” are the rage, New York recognizes that locals are extremely vital for keeping its cultural institutions afloat. Well, that has become reasonably easy today with Google Maps and Google Earth extending a helping hand to New York City develops an Internet Age service that enables visitors and locals alike virtually explore the Big Apple before taking to its busy streets.
In a blog post on Wednesday at the Google website, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced a new nycgo.com website as the official online and a technology-packed resource center on Seventh Avenue near 52nd Street in Manhattan, which would help tourists and residents looking for an activity or a place to go.
“This dynamic site uses Google Maps to help you plan your New York experience,” Bloomberg said in a posting at Google’s website.
“So whether you are a visitor or a resident, we invite you to explore New York City from your home computer, your mobile phone — and of course, in person.”
The website employs Google Maps to assist users locate their destinations, as well as get directions on how to get there. The information can also be sent to cell phones via Google Maps for Mobile.
“In partnership with Google, we are launching a new Website and Information Center to help make it easier for both visitors and residents to explore all the energy, excitement and diversity of New York City’s five boroughs,” wrote Bloomberg.
NYCGo.com contains not just Google map and search data, but also travel deals from Travelocity and local content from what-to-do powerhouse Time Out New York, nightlife culture magazine Paper, the New York Observer, and eco-living guide Greenopia.
“The Information Center features interactive map tables, powered by the Google Maps API for Flash, that enables you to navigate venues and attractions as well as create personalized itineraries, which can be printed, emailed or sent to mobile devices,” the blog post explained. “Additionally, there is a gigantic video wall that utilizes Google Earth to display a 3D model of New York City neighborhoods or “street views” of destinations on which you can map out personalized itineraries.”
Bloomberg has been very forceful about encouraging the tech initiatives during his time in office, from a wind power plan (part of the much bigger “GreeNYC” project) and a city-run venture firm. Under his watchful administration, the Mountain View, Calif.-based Google opened its New York satellite office, taking over several floors of the historic former Port Authority building downtown.
New York is just the latest organization to use the Google Maps technology, For example, JetBlue Airways Corp. in 2007 jointly developed an application with Google that lets its passengers follow their flights in real time on the plane’s seat-back televisions.