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:

• Features & Pricing
• Download
• API Documentation
• Support Group

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.

If you want proof that UMapper is run by real people and not robots, watch the UMapper founder and CEO Andrei Taraschuk chat with folks from GISCafe at Where2.0.

In case you missed Where 2.0 this year, here are few hightlights from the geo world:

• Blaise Aguera [Bing Maps] - The Map as an Information Ecology
• Michael Jones [Google] on The New Meaning of Mapping
• Jeffrey Johnson, John Crowley and Schuyler Erle on Haiti Crisis Mapping
• Mikel Maron on Mapping African Slums with OpenStreetMap
• Dennis Crowley on Adventures in Mobile Social 2.0: Twelve Months of foursquare
• Walter Scott [DigitalGlobe] - Seconds to Anywhere
• Othman Laraki [Twitter] on Geostreams

Check out the O’Reilly YouTube channel for the complete list of Where 2.0 talks.

A year ago we wrote about innovative mapping techniques employed by The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead to map the Red River floods. This year the floods are back and INFORUM continues to innovate. In addition to Red River flood map wiki that allows users to contribute flood locations, they’ve added live flood cams, and a very cool neighborhood flood beat project. Here is how flood beat works:

To give our readers the most local and comprehensive information in this spring’s flood fight, we’ve created neighborhood flood beats this year. Using the vast newsgathering force of our newspaper, each reporter is assigned to neighborhoods or specific rural areas in which flooding is most likely to occur. People living within the area are also encouraged to contribute to the reporting or photography (go to our Flood Bloggers page for more information). Think of it as having your very own neighborhood Web site. That’s the concept.

Here is the map of flood beats areas:

INFORUM is not the only media company who is using UMapper to map the Red River flood. KCRG and GazetteOnline are among many others who use the power of maps to share important information.