Google Maps in Grayscale

Question

Is there any way to display a Google Map (embedded via the Javascript API) in grayscale without losing any other functionality?

Answer 1

Yes, in V3 of the api they have introduced StyledMaps.

They've even provided a tool for you to generate the code for the styles you like. Slide the "Saturation" all the way down and you've got grayscale going on!

The following example displays a grayscale map of Brooklyn:

var map;
var brooklyn = new google.maps.LatLng(40.6743890, -73.9455);

var stylez = [
    {
      featureType: "all",
      elementType: "all",
      stylers: [
        { saturation: -100 } // <-- THIS
      ]
    }
];

var mapOptions = {
    zoom: 11,
    center: brooklyn,
    mapTypeControlOptions: {
         mapTypeIds: [google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP, 'tehgrayz']
    }
};

map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map_canvas"), mapOptions);

var mapType = new google.maps.StyledMapType(stylez, { name:"Grayscale" });    
map.mapTypes.set('tehgrayz', mapType);
map.setMapTypeId('tehgrayz');