Google is bringing its indoor maps to the desktop version of Google Maps. First introduced in November last year for devices running Android mobile operating system, On Wednesday, November 21, 2012, the company said desktop users can now take virtual tours and see over 10,000 detailed floor plans.
The indoor maps, which cover airports, shopping malls, department stores museums and 10,000 other locations, offer floor plans and labels for things like airport gates, individual stores inside malls, coffee shops, ATMs and even restrooms.
Indoor maps is built into Google Maps, which means users can use many of the same Maps features to explore indoor space. This include search by keyword or destination and seeing friends' location on the floor plan with Latitude.
Google Maps for Android has been mapping inside buildings for quite some time now. When a person is moving inside a building, chances are he/she is mobile and not on the computer. And when it comes to maps, it makes sense for Google to focus on its mobile version first before rolling out the desktop version.
It may not be quite as practical as the mobile version, but those looking to plan their route ahead of time can now finally take advantage of Google's indoor maps in their desktop web browser.
Indoor maps are currently available for select locations in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, the UK, and the U.S.. Google is asking owners of other venues to contribute their floor plans by uploading it to Google Maps. This option is only available in the U.S., UK, and Japan.
With Google's huge mapping community, users can expect the number of floor plans to keep growing. More locations will keep getting added.