Earlier this month we announced that our ActionScript 3.0 mapping API, UMap, will be moving to UMapper. Today we are pleased to say that the move has been completed and UMap now lives on the UMapper Developers page. A few helpful links:
UMap is the Universal ActionScript 3.0 (Flex 4) Mapping API. The scalable component model allows developers to create rich mapping applications with interactive data layers. Our API enables developers to build fully-customized solutions. The current version is integrated with map data from OpenStreetMap, Bing Maps, CloudMade, Yahoo, DigitalGlobe, MapQuest, ArcGIS and Zoomify.
Back in 2007 while working on interactive mapping APIs (Google’s GMap and UMap) at Advanced Flash Components, we saw an opportunity to simplify the process of creation, tracking and distribution of interactive maps and decided to peruse it by building UMapper. After UMapper’s launch in 2008, it quickly became apparent that there was a strong demand for UMapper’s services and we shifted all the companies resources to it.
Last week we announced the sale of Advanced Flash Components (here, here and here). The sale opens a new chapter in our company’s history as it solidifies our commitment to UMapper and makes it possible to focus 100% of our resources on the project. All and all, very exciting stuff!
The biggest change to come out of the sale will be the move of UMap from AFComponents to UMapper. Starting this week we will be moving the API to UMapper along with documentation, support and everything else. From the license standpoint there are no changes. We will continue all current licenses and service level agreements under UMapper’s brand. We will keep posting updates on this blog as we introduce new changes. Stay tuned.
Earlier this week Google pushed out a new version of Android OS 2.1 to selected Verizon devices, and it includes a Flash-enabled browser! Based on our tests, UMapper maps look and work excellent. Best of all, things are going to get even better. Today Google unveiled a new version of Andriod OS - Froyo, which is a lot faster and more robust. We will keep updating UMapper to ensure our maps are fully compatible and take advantage of Android’s functionality.
I’m not normally a big fan of verbing words but today I’ve been Umapping. Or, to be more specific, I discovered a mapping tool that has a neat little online game you can make,to send users clicking against the clock, trying to answer questions on a global or local scale.
My UMapper map - imaginatively titled How Well Do You Know Liverpool? poses questions such as ‘Where was John Lennon born’, ‘Can you find Paddy’s Wigwam’ and - of course - where Liverpool FC and Everton FC play their home games.
The GeoDart game produced by UMapper can be as big and as clever as you want it to be. I signed up for the free basic account, and selected theGeoDart game option, using Bing Maps (which I opted for - I could also have used Google, Yahoo, or OpenStreet Maps among others)…
Please visit Alison’s blog to read the entire article.
As Europe’s air travel restrictions get slowly lifted, the consequences of Icelandic Volcano eruption is still a hot topic on Twitter. German media publisher Financial Times Deutchland is tracking German #ashtag tweets with UMapper. Take a look at the original article (in German) for details or explore the map below:
