MapQuest's AS3 API in Beta

I recently assisted in developing and testing on the API Development and QA teams for this product and wanted to share some information on their new Actionscript 3 API with the community.

If you are interested in mapping GIS related data (what data doesn't have a GIS component?) or are currently working with competing products you should evaluate what MapQuest has to offer with their new AS3 API. I can't stress enough the concentrated effort that went in to streamlining the integration process, performance and speed, and feature set.

The Libraries:

1. AdvantageAPI.swc - Actionscript Library used for retrieving geographical data from mapquest servers
2. TilemapToolkit.swc - Actionscript Library used for creating a tilebased map
3. TilemapComponent.swc - Flex Library used for placing tilemaps within MXML

With the above libraries you can acquire geocode information for existing address information, place points of interest on a map, utilize vector based overlays, and fully customize all built in MapQuest default features such as the zoom and pan controls.

It is important to stress that with MapQuest's API you can customize the entire look and feel of the map to suite your business (logo etc.)

It is important to stress some of the peformance gains I noticed from the legacy html and javascript based solution. Most importantly the speed in which POIs (points of interests) can be added to a map. I witnessed a 500 poi legacy application load 500 pois in 10 seconds and via the AS3 API load the same 500 POIs instantaneously. Imagine this performance benefit if you were to embed a map in a desktop app written in AIR?

If you are currently utilizing MapQuest and have standardized on javascript or don't foresee spending this years budget on converting to AS3, that is ok, you can utilize a version of the API wrapped to support javascript integration, which should allow you to drop the new flash based solution in to your existing javascript/html/AJAX solution.

There are many more advanced features such as POI decluttering, customizing POI graphics, and display windows to name a few. There are also Flash CS3 supported swc libraries that can be imported in to the Flash IDE as well.

MapQuest went above and beyond to make integration with Adobe products seamless.

The following links will detail some of the release information and how to get ahold of the libraries:

Links to various MapQuest sponsored information and links:

• MapQuest(site)
• Examples @ MapQuest (@ above link)
  • Map a Contact
  • Database Search and Plot
  • Live application by Kevin Langdon demonstrating Overlays, POIs, and More
• Request an Evaluation
• Mashable News Article

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