Yesterday Google launched a new Flash API for Google Maps that allows Flex developers to integrate Google Maps into their applications. In my mind, the release of this API shows the progress that Flex is making. The largest online company in the world has acknowledged the need to create an API for Flex developers, recognizing that there are some things that Flex and Flash can do better than Ajax. From their blog post announcing the release:

"So, what do I like about the API for Flash? Smoothness and speed are a big part of it. We've designed it so that Flash graphics can be used for each tile layer, marker and info window - opening up possibilities like dynamic shading, shadowing, animation, and video. When the user zooms the map, magnification changes happen smoothly and place names fade in. After the user drags a marker, it gently bounces to a halt. Generally, Flash allows for much greater embellishment, and, well... "flashiness.""

Ryan Stewart has more information about this release, and Igor Costa has already created a Flex component for it. This is great news for Flex developers.

The team at Advanced Flash Components have created a universal mapping component that allows Flex developers to easily incorporate mapping components from any provider, including Google Maps. Flex developers who have wanted to incorporate Google Maps into their apps can now do so by leveraging the work that's gone into this component.

The component is still in beta (0.5) and is available as a free download.

RIA developers might want to subscribe to the Advanced Flash Components blog for updates on this and other cool components that they've built.

EarthMeasurements is a really neat example that shows great integration between Flex and Ajax. Its a site that allows you to identify points on a Google map, and calculate the distance between those two points. A Flex based graph on top of the map shows you the distance between the two points. Simple, but still useful, and a neat application of integration between the two technologies.