When we launched our first version on the 27th Jan 2012, Google Maps was pretty much the only mapping API service available. It was also the most widely used map provider on the planet. A lot has changed since then.
We’ve always been a fan of allowing our users to primarily use Google Maps as their main mapping provider. Google Maps has always provided the most feature-rich options. However, a few other mapping engines have come a long way and we’ve received numerous requests to include other mapping providers in our core. This has nudged us to move towards a more universal mapping engine that allows our customers to use different map providers.
In May 2018 we included OpenLayers as an alternative mapping provider to our user base. Although the uptake was initially slow, we now see that more than half of our user base have decided to use OpenLayers in favor of Google Maps. We will continue to promote Google Maps as our core mapping provider but we appreciate the need for change.
As a result of the above (and other external factors), we’ve decided to rebrand to WP Go Maps.
Here’s to many more mapping years! 🥂
Nick Duncan
Founder of WP Go Maps (formerly WP Google Maps)
4 Comments
Hi Nick, I have a few questions about the future of Version 8. If I have a site with the Pro Add-On for Version 8 and don’t plan to upgrade to version 9, should I avoid upgrading the Basic version from version 8.x to version 9? Will you still plan to release security updates for Version 8 even after the 6 month window?
Hi @cweiser,
Thank you for your comment, your time is appreciated!
You should be able to update to the latest basic version without the need to update the Pro add-on to V9, most modules should remain fully functional. With that being said, our version 9 release does include some much-needed architecture changes, and we hope to expand on these moving forward which means some instability may be experienced in the Pro V8 builds as further updates to the basic are released.
We do plan on releasing updates to Pro V8 in the future to solve these instabilities, within reason, as they are reported, to ensure current V8 users retain all the features they are used to.
With regards to security updates, we will ship critical security updates for an additional 6 months after the original 6-month period dedicated to stability and compatibility improvements.
Will the update be transparent, or will there be any changes I need to make to my current V8 Pro settings when I switch to V9?
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your comment, this is a great question!
You don’t need to make any specific changes to your settings or maps to update to the V9 builds. Once you update, the system will automatically detect that you are a V8 user and keep everything the way you had it. This means you will be set to use our “legacy” build within V9.
You may want to try our updated user interface, and additional features, in which case you can switch to our “Atlas Novus” engine using the quick-switch prompt shown in the map area, or via the Settings area. You can switch back at any time, without the need to adjust your maps or settings.
I hope this helps?