Throw the Map!

About the most fun part of having a globe is giving it a good spin. We've just finished up the development of the 5.2 release of the AS3 API for MapQuest's Advantage API. One of the fun new features of the API is zoom effects and "throwable" map panning.

Give it a whirl! Click the map and drag a bit before releasing. The speed/duration of the panning can be controlled both by the user's interaction (how fast/far you drag before releasing the mouse) and by the API ("friction" settings). Note that this works for the globe view, or for any of the zoom levels.

There are also customizable effects related to the zooming. Use the zoom control (or better, double click a spot on the map to pan/zoom).

Check out the app with the API-configurable parameters here.