HTML5 Mapping
The objective of the Tile5 mapping library is simple:
Offer cross-device HTML5 mapping that feels as good as a native device implementation on any mobile device that supports HTML5.
This objective is not one that will be realised overnight, but as the quality and power of mobile devices improves so to will Tile5. Right now, the performance and features of Tile5 HTML5 mapping on an iPhone 3GS (or greater) offers a comparable experience to those of the native maps.
Multiple Map Providers
Tile5 has been built from the ground-up to be a vendor neutral implementation. With the number of map provider and mobile device combinations being very high, a native device implementation for each provider is unsustainable.
This was one of the primary design decisions for choosing a technology such as HTML5, and it was important to also ensure that Tile5 provided suitable extension points for “plugging in” as many mapping providers as possible. We believe this will providing a sustainable solution for businesses interested in implementing location based services.
Other Javascript Mapping Libraries
Before choosing Tile5 for your application, we would recommend reviewing the available JavaScript Mapping Libraries that are currently available. Depending on your needs, you may find something else is a much better fit.