In Tokyo, the long rainy season is finally over. And just like that, it’s stupid hot. Hope you’ve all found a decent way to beat the heat. Here’s what we’ve been up to over the past month or so:
Data Import
Tasmap now supports CSV, TSV, XLSX, GeoJSON, GPX, KML, and KMZ imports. You can bring your data over from Google My Maps or most major map platforms. We’ve handled each format differently under the hood. For example, choosing between original images or built-in markers, and converting Google My Maps HTML content into Tasmap’s Markdown.
If you import via KML, marker images will reference the original URLs directly, unlike KMZ which uses assets bundled inside the archive. Just keep an eye on the image source’s CORS settings. When exporting from Google My Maps, we recommend going with KMZ (which includes all assets).
Card Layout
Card Layout got a redesign, cleaner on both desktop and mobile. We also added a few small things: the camera now automatically avoids overlapping cards, drag-to-reorder while editing, and undo/redo for adding or deleting cards.
Performance
We reworked how maps load. Opening the viewer or embedded mode is noticeably faster now. You should barely see the loading animation anymore. Rendering for large numbers of markers got a boost too: 1,000 markers went from 50 fps to 80 fps.
Markers
Location markers now support custom images. The icon library has also expanded to over 20,000 icons, searchable with natural language.
Also, when you edit a marker in the list, the corresponding marker on the map updates in real time. In our upcoming design, we’re treating markers as a kind of tag. This will become the foundation for future filtering and categorization features.
Bug Fixes
- When you hit the map limit, the “Create Map” button now shows a quota-full notice instead.
- Creating a map now auto-generates initial assets like thumbnails and favicons.
- The “My Maps” list now displays properly even if a map’s thumbnail is missing.
- The “My Maps” page now also shows plan quota-full notices.
- When editing, marker label widths now display correctly across all languages and symbols.
One More Thing: New Pricing
The current pricing was set about a year and a half ago. Since then, the product’s features and direction have changed a lot. Honestly, the current pricing doesn’t quite fit anymore. It’s not just limiting when we plan new features, but some of you have also worried about whether the service can stick around for the long haul.
So we’re adjusting pricing. The idea is simple: give different kinds of people a fair price, while making sure the product can keep being developed. The new model will be a “Free / Single Paid / Add-on Packs” hybrid:
- Free: All features, unchanged. We want to hold onto the idea that everyone should be able to make at least one good map, so we’re not messing with functionality. The limits are on usage, and maps will include Tasmap branding.
- Paid: Simplified into a single plan with enough usage to cover most people’s needs, no Tasmap branding — present your maps entirely under your own name.
- Add-on Packs: For high traffic, large map volumes, media, or AI needs, optional add-on packs will be available.
The actual numbers will be finalized and announced to everyone around the end of the month, this is just an early heads-up for those subscribed to product updates. If you have any thoughts or needs, feel free to hit reply and let us know.
That’s about it for now. It’s too hot for long emails anyway, better for both of us. See you.