The AI era is transforming how businesses connect with customers, especially in sectors like e-commerce, logistics, and connectivity.

Text-based AI replies can feel flat. With the new Contextual View, part of Google Maps AI Kit, it’s now possible to enrich AI chat interfaces with interactive maps, real-world data and visual context.

With Google Maps Platform’s new Builder agent, you can now go from concept to working prototype using just plain language.

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most crucial, high-intent discovery tool for local services. Having a pin on the map is not enough. As businesses strive to capture high-value "near me" searches, success hinges on one often-overlooked factor: deep local knowledge. When you understand a community's geography, preferences, and culture, your business can use those insights to improve its local ranking, build trust, and deliver unmatched customer experiences.  In this artic

Many AI coding assistants promise faster development, but often generate code based on outdated APIs or documentation. Code Assist Toolkit solves that by connecting your AI assistant to up-to-date, official resources from Google Maps Platform. This includes documentation, code samples, best practices and more. Give Your AI Assistant Reliable Google Maps Expertise Code Assist Toolkit functions as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. When your coding assistant runs a prompt i

Google Maps Platform (GMP) has just introduced a robust set of AI-driven tools designed to make location-based development faster, easier, and more accessible, especially for teams without deep GIS or mapping expertise.  From building interactive maps with natural language prompts to accessing fresh real-world data at scale, these new tools can help businesses across logistics, internet services, e-commerce and beyond do more with maps. Here’s what you need to know. 1. Build

In a competitive retail environment, offering a seamless customer experience is non-negotiable.  Google Maps makes this easier than ever, helping customers find exactly what they need while helping businesses optimise operations and increase foot traffic.  As shoppers constantly expect more, making the most out of the capabilities of tools like Google Maps has never been more important.  In this article, we take a look at how exactly Google Maps can transform the customer jou

Dear Valued Customer, As 2025 draws to a close, we extend our sincere gratitude for your continued partnership and valuable support throughout the year. Please take note of the following important dates and operational details for the holiday period: Annual Software Production Deployment Freeze To ensure system stability during the holiday season, we will implement our annual Software Production Deployment Freeze . Freeze Period: 1 December 2025 through 5 January 2026 . Imp

Google Maps can do more than just get you from point A to B. You can also customise it to help you discover new places, stay organised, and personalise your journey. The platform offers plenty of ways to help you tailor your experiences, whether you’re mapping out your next adventure or trying to make your commute easier. Here are a few simple tips to make Google Maps your own. 1. Organise Your Favourite Spots with Emojis Saving places to your list is a great way to keep trac

The TransAmerica Trail is an iconic off-road route, stretching over 5,900 miles and showcasing some of the most rugged, remote landscapes in the United States. Now, for the first time ever, you can explore this legendary trail virtually through Google Maps Street View. In collaboration with Ford, Google has captured the stunning beauty of the TransAmerica Trail using the latest in Street View technology. A specially equipped Ford Bronco, outfitted with our advanced Street Vie

Google Maps recently announced the ability to customise map styles for different types and modes, available in Preview.  This new feature brings greater flexibility, giving you more control over how your maps are presented across the web, iOS, and Android. Whether you’re building a consumer-facing app, a business tool, or a mobility solution, this update helps ensure your map experiences are as dynamic and tailored as your needs. Effortless Map Customisation Across All Platfo

Many people think creating a store locator is as simple as pinning a few locations on a map.  While that might be true on the surface, the reality is more complex. In today’s competitive retail environment, a great store locator can significantly enhance the customer experience, driving foot traffic and increasing sales.  The Disconnect: Why Your Store Locator is Failing You For the modern consumer, the shopping journey almost always starts online. As a result, marketers dedi

In the world of ride-hailing and delivery, speed is part of the deal. Customers expect quick, reliable service and anything less can cost you their trust.  That's where real-time location data comes in. It powers smarter routes, accurate ETAs, and live updates that keep operations smooth and customers informed.  In this article, we dive into why this matters and what it looks like in practice. How Real-Time Data Powers Smarter Routes Timing is everything, especially in an ind

Whether you're building a store locator, streamlining deliveries, or helping users find local services, location matters, and Google’s Places APIs offer powerful tools to bring this functionality to life. That’s why it’s crucial to choose and implement them correctly. In this blog, we break down the key differences between the Places API, Geocoding API, and Distance Matrix API, highlight common mistakes, and show how 28East helps African businesses get the most value without

Since 2009, Scribble Maps has helped people make better decisions using maps. Over time, their tools have evolved to support a diverse range of industries, including real estate, construction, logistics, and agriculture. Their latest product, ScribbleSight, gives users a new level of control. It allows them to create custom geographic scores based on what matters most to them. Let’s take a look at what that means in more detail.  Solving Real-World Location Challenges Busines

In April, the Google Maps platform announced its preview of Places Insights in BigQuery. This enabled users to make informed location decisions, such as planning a new store or expanding into a new market. This functionality is now generally available to customers across industries, empowering businesses to make smarter and faster decisions. Let’s dive into how that works. What Can Places Insights Do For You? Understanding location data is essential for business growth, but t

At 28East, we believe that true partnership means empowering our clients. That's why customisation  has always been a core pillar of our solution. We know that a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't work in the competitive world of internet service providers. We’ve always offered a high level of customisation, from branding your application with your logo to tailoring the look and feel of your coverage map . Take Control of Your Feasibility Responses We're thrilled to anno

The last-mile delivery and taxi industries are booming, and staying ahead of the curve means having the right technology to power your business. At 28East , we're seeing firsthand how companies are embracing the power of Google Maps Mobility Services  to streamline their operations, enhance the user experience, and drive significant growth. As an authorized Google Maps mobility services partner, we're helping more and more businesses unlock this potential. Why Google Maps Mob

We're proud to announce a significant milestone here at 28East: this week marks our 338th consecutive week  of successful coverage data updates. That's over six and a half years of continuous, reliable data freshness. You might be asking, "Why is that so important?" The Cost of Stale Data For Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in South Africa, the feasibility check is the very first step in a new customer relationship. When a potential customer visits your site, they're looki

From local streets to the highways that connect our cities, roads are vital connectors for our communities. Yet, maintaining safe, efficient, and sustainable road networks is a constant challenge. Globally, road crashes cause over one million preventable deaths and 50 million injuries each year, and drivers lose countless hours to traffic congestion. Today, we’re excited to announce that Roads Management Insights (RMI)  is now available. It helps public sector agencies, road