Now that Google has implemented a street level map for Hong Kong, people here can begin work on their cool little mashups.

Before this implementation, anyone who would like to use a Google Map-like map would have to go through the Hong Kong Government and pay them some ridiculous amount and change to use their maps, I have no exact figure, but I was told they charge by clicks and zooms also. One of the popular maps used locally is the Centamap, it’s quite handy and dead-on accurate (but the Government charges you an arm and a leg to use it and that’s no good if you are one of the few web innovators in HK). I don’t think you can build mashups with that particular map.

Still, in terms of online maps, I think Edushi has the coolest street level map around. I just love the Sim City feel to it.

Anyhow, I can now spend some quality time looking through the HK map and their map API.

Possible related posts:

• EditGrid - Dynamic Images feature
• Hong Kong 2.0
• The Asia Web 2.0 Conference
• Funding and assistance
• FoodLily - microblog your dining experience