According to the Google GeoDevelopers Blog, the Google Maps API now supports multiple languages (list here). There is no need for developers to do anything, Google will simply translate all map controls based on the location of the user (geo-ip location). Wonderful news for all of you travelers which will end up seeing the local language at your location rather than the language you speak. Google does offer a way to define a specific language, but is that enough?
When is a feature not a feature? This is an interesting question, whether one talks about Google Maps or Facebook or any other application that is delivered as a service. There is no option for users to not install this feature. Even though Google does offer the chance to return to the old Google Maps (by specifying you need the English language as a default language), this may not be appropriate. In essence, Google Maps introduced a feature that you need to opt out from, rather than opt in. This comes with no prior announcement or a grace period. While in most cases, this can be good for developers, is it ideal and good for all? I think the people that will be disadvantaged by this should outweigh the possible benefits. Perhaps Google should make this an opt-in feature instead?
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