I noted that NORAD had switched from Google tech to Microsoft's Azure and Bing Maps as the backend to its Santa Tracker. Today comes word that Google will host its own version on Google Maps, as an alternative.
While we’ve been tracking Santa since 2004 with Google Earth, this year a team of dedicated Google Maps engineers built a new route algorithm to chart Santa’s journey around the world on Christmas Eve. On his sleigh, arguably the fastest airborne vehicle in the world, Santa whips from city to city delivering presents to millions of homes. You’ll be able to follow him on Google Maps and Google Earth, and get his stats starting at 2:00 a.m. PST Christmas Eve at google.com/santatracker.
There's a Chrome Extension, an Android app and updates on Google+, too.
- Google Lat Long Blog via HuffPo
