Google Maps

Finding directions to a new pizza joint is just one of Google Maps' many talents, and a new online course called Mapping with Google shows you how to unlock the hidden tips, tricks, and treasures of Google's most popular geo products: Maps, Maps Engine Lite, and Earth. The company's two-week class is free, is open to all, and starts June 10.

The best part? Everyone who signs up will be invited to the new Google Maps, a gorgeous, immersive update to Google's web and mobile mapping app.

Eager Google Map-ers will learn everything there is to know about making the most of Maps, telling the story of a journey with Maps Engine Lite, and how to embed rich 3D imagery from Earth into your own projects. The five-unit course uses a combination of video and text lessons, plus Google+ Hangouts with instructors. Upon successful completion of the 14-day program, you'll receive a shiny e-certificate for your achievement.

Before enrolling, make sure you've got the right system requirements, and download the latest version of Google Earth.

Google Maps, with over one billion monthly active users, has become such an essential part of getting from point A to point B. That's why when we heard Google was preparing to announce some major changes to Google Maps at this week's I/O conference . . . we were a little bit nervous.

But the search-company-turned-Internet-giant has only improved one of its best products with a beautiful new interface and more personalized search. At today's keynote, we listened to Bernhard Seefeld, product management director of Google Maps, discuss and demo the new features.

Here's why we're loving the next generation of Google Maps:

1. It looks great — The map itself is more textured, more shaded, and more colored than before, so you can really see elevation and environmental differences around the world. Blues and greens are richer, more vivid, and easier to see.
2. It's immersive — The search bar is now tucked away in the upper left-hand corner, which allows the map to be as full-screen and immersive as possible.
3. It gets smarter with time — Personalization is the name of the game when it comes to the latest iteration of Google Maps. You set standard locations, like home and work, but it's the personal landmarks that make the map useful. These landmarks are restaurants or other places you frequent. Maps can suggest similar places to you and get better at recommendations over time.
4. It's more interactive — Search results appear right on the map, instead of in a list. Results are fully labeled with the type of business (restaurant? park?), its name, and a summary of what it is. Click to expand even more information, like operating hours, contact information, Zagat ratings, and more.
5. It really gives you the sense of a place — Using 3D mapping technology and user-generated photos, the new Maps shows you what a place actually looks like from the ground, not just an aerial view.

Like what you see? Request an invite to the new Google Maps.

Since Google HQ calls Mountain View, CA, its home, the Google Maps team had to venture out on an expedition to capture some spectacular views from the world's tallest mountains on behalf of Street View. New high elevation panoramas of Aconcagua in South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, and Everest Base Camp in Asia, have been added to the Google Street View collection, which showcases exotic locales from across the globe.

The highest mountains on of each of the seven continents are known as the Seven Summits, and the Google Maps team climbed half of those peaks in the last 18 months. Once the Googlers reached their final destination, a lightweight tripod, SLR camera, and fisheye lens were used to capture HDR images of the sweeping views.

Technically speaking, the project was no easy feat. Packing light is important on a trek — what seems manageable at sea level will only get heavier as you continue up the mountain. The expedition team needed to carry bulky equipment in addition to food and clothing. In a Google Hangout, Michele Battelli, who photographed the Aconcagua summit, explained that one of the greatest challenges were the batteries: "As the temperature goes down, battery life goes down. We brought 15 or so batteries and recharged them along the way."

We may not have plans to climb to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro (a mere 19,341 feet above sea level), but thanks to Google Maps, we can now explore amazing views from summits and base camps around the world via the web or from the Google Maps app for iPhone and Android.

Explore the new 360-degree panoramas of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp after the break.

If you're drawing a blank when it comes to resolutions, perhaps Google's resolutions world map can offer some global inspiration. Users are invited to add their pledges to the map and see what others are resolving to do in 2013, too.

Two Google teams collaborated on the project: Google Maps, which plots the resolutions, and Google Translate, which converts them into 44 different languages. The interactive feature bubbles through submissions from around the world or lets viewers filter them by type (love, health, finance, etc.).

Share your own 2013 undertaking by clicking the blue field on the bottom and entering a postal code, country, and category. The map is completely anonymous, so no one's judging you for wanting to kick your online shopping addiction to the curb.

Some intentions are as ambitious as "peace for everyone" and as personal as "quit smoking," so submit what's on your mind and get moving on those commitments for the year with apps and websites that help you stick to your goals.

Google hasn't released a mobile Maps app for iOS devices yet, and it might be because it's busy mapping the ocean. Yesterday, the Google Maps team announced it was going where no map has gone before: deep sea diving. Six of the ocean's living coral reefs are now available in Street View, thanks to a partnership with The Catlin Seaview Survey. The incredible underwater images are part of the Street View Collection, which features 360-degree panoramic tours of exotic locales like the icy tundras of Antarctica and the rich wildlife of the Amazon River. So, put down that coffee, get the cursor moving, and take a quick trip around the world with five of our favorite Street Views.

Take a tour of the Great Barrier Reef, Thailand, Brazil, Antarctica, and more after the break.

Maps is getting a complete makeover in Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 6. For better or worse, the company is bidding farewell to Google Maps, and an entirely new application powered by data from TomTom will take its place. Maps has become one of the most popular and beloved iPhone features — and for good reason. Google's Street View team has dedicated a substantial amount of resources into collecting real-world mapping data and creating the most comprehensive geographical database possible.

So how will Apple's version compare to Google Maps? Here's a breakdown of the mobile map app.

• New look — The most noticeable change is the clean, minimal interface, featuring brighter hues and less text clutter.
• Turn-by-turn navigation — Drivers can now follow the gentle cadence of spoken, turn-by-turn directions, without ever having to take their eyes off the road.
• 3D modeling — In "Flyover" mode, users zoom, pan, tilt, and rotate high-resolution, 3D satellite imagery.
• Landscape and portrait mode — The old version of Maps was viewable only in portrait, but the new application will allow for both vertical and horizontal orientations.
• No more transit directions — City-farers will no longer be able to rely on Maps to provide public transit information, at least for now. Stay tuned though, as Apple promises to allow third-party developers work on the feature in the future.
• Yelp integration — Thanks to a partnership with Yelp, user reviews and contact info for shops, restaurants, bars, and more are baked right into Maps.

Will you use the new Maps? Or, did Apple make a huge mistake in parting ways with Google? Let us know what you think.

In a policy revision announced this week, Google will be instituting one blanket privacy policy across their many web products with the reasoning that they're building a streamlined user experience. The data from your activity and habits on one Google-owned site will be stored in their servers and shared across all their sites. The legal speak details for Google's new Terms of Service are available on their website, but we've broken down what you need to know and how the changes affect your digital life below.

• When logged into any Google product account, the personal information provided will be shared among all of Google's products. Searches and text provided in Google Search may pop back up in YouTube as recommended videos or Gmail as targeted ads.
• Those ads across Google services will be more finely targeted than ever, thanks to your activity across the company's network of products, after all the servers see your most visited websites on Chrome and your recurring destinations on Maps. If personalized ads aren't for you, the function can be turned off with the Ads Preference Manager.
• Google says your data privacy is secure. They will not sell your personal information or share it without permission, unless with a valid court order.
• Google social search elements are still happening. When applicable, Google+ personal results will continue to appear in a search query, with the thinking that a friend's recommendation or recent article share on the social network ties closer to what you're scouring the Internet for.
• The Google products policy change goes into effect March 1.

Tell us your feelings on the Internet giant's changes in the comments and watch Google's video explanation of the new policy after the break.

In the latest enhancement of the Street View, Google is moving off the street and has started rolling out interior pictures of businesses. You'll not only be able to see the inside of a new boutique in your city, but the service can also be used by restaurants to highlight their best dishes.

Businesses in 37 cities and six countries, including the US, can apply to have the Google team take interior shots of their shops, though it's not guaranteed they'll be chosen for this new project. The inside sneak peek is even accessible via the business's local listings page in Google Search. No need to worry if you're accidentally caught in a store at the time they're taking the photo, as Google says it will keep privacy concerns at bay by blurring the faces of anyone captured in the images.

Do you think these interior pictures on Street View will catch on among local businesses?