Google added Public transit routing and layer in the Google Maps API

Recently Google expanded the features of Google Maps and Places APIs and added a number of interesting upgrades. This was announced in the Google I/O Developers conference.

The Google Maps API now boasts of the much asked for Transit directions and information. Google said, “You can now use it in both the Google Maps Javascript v3 and the Directions Web Service. It's simple for you to update your apps to also offer routing by public transit in addition to driving, bicycling, and walking. The transit route responses include the number of stops, direction of travel and more. It will also tell you what type of vehicle you will be travelling on.”

Another addition to Google Maps API is the feature ‘Symbols’. This feature allows developers to exact more control over the styling of maps items like push pins, arrows and more. It is a visualization feature and Google showed its implementation by changing the regular air traffic data in to the form of small airplane icons flying across the U.S. map.