Yesterday at the Google I/O Conference, Google unveiled its new Maps product. The video and link below, tell the story.
(New York Times, May 15, 2013)
Comment: It's an unspoken truth - when individuals in the Emergency Services Sector want access to a quick and easy to use map, a visit to Google Maps will not be far behind. After reviewing news about the product that's going to be released - the question would be: why aren't we thinking about using Google's approach as the backbone of a national Common Operating Picture? Google is clearly in the lead when it comes to having command of "where" - for everything.
I will bet you that not one single responder in the AO of yesterday's tornado outbreak in OK used Google for anything. AT&T, Verizon, etc., all knocked out and even were they working, a large format paper map (hopefully with common ops grid) on the hood of a truck is what working first responders need/want most. Will the new Google ever be able to interface with that common ops grid/language for location (USNG/MGRS)? "Google is clearly in the lead when it comes to having command of "where" - for everything," except for addition of USNG to their interface. (Which would be so easy/no risk for them to implement.)
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