Amazon.com, Inc.(NASDAQ:AMZN) Releases Its Own Mobile Maps API

Amazon.com, Inc.(NASDAQ:AMZN) Releases Its Own Mobile Maps API

Amazon.com, Inc.(NASDAQ:AMZN) is working on moving away from Google Maps and releasing its very own mobile maps API for developers.

Amazon has declared that it lets developers to embed interactive maps directly into their apps, allowing users to pan and zoom. The in-app map is capable of pulling out a user’s location and swapping between satellites, just like in Google Maps.

Amazon has mentioned in its blog post that the Amazon Maps makes it easy for users to integrate mapping functionality into apps that run on the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD. these latest gadgets will also come with support for location-based services through android-based API.

Since the API is not based on a proprietary mapping service offered by Amazon, the retailer has collaborated with Nokia Maps to power the service on Kindle Fire as well as Kindle Fire HD.

It is unlikely that the service will do significant damage to Google Maps. It is a very popular mapping service and is the ‘go to’ choice for the majority of users, who access location-based services on a wide variety of smartphones in the market.

Amazon has said that its Maps API is available now in beta version and that developers can now access Amazon Mobile App Distribution Portal.

As per previous reports, Amazon has struck a deal with Nokia recently, who will provide mapping and geo-coding information for Amazon’s tablets. It was not until Monday that Nokia had confirmed it was licensing its location-based platform to Amazon.

Nokia is already providing maps for Windows Phone 8, putting the firm as the mapping rival to Apple and Google’s services. With Nokia Maps coming intruding onto Android-based Kindle Fire HD, the firm is making efforts to a bigger piece of mobile pie. Until Amazon develops its own in-house mapping and gets the ownership of Kindle navigation, Nokia will keep having its fair influence.