Google Developer Homing Tam
A Hongkonger who helps to keep the world’s favorite search engine on the cutting edge, Homing Tam is a Google Developer Expert in Maps—one of five in the world—and a Google Trusted Photographer. He talks to Yannie Chan about his love for Google but why he doesn’t always rely on Google Maps.
HK Magazine: Awesome titles. But what do you do, exactly?
Homing Tam: I usually keep the title to myself as it can easily sound like I’m showing off. I have three major responsibilities: developing prototypes of products using the Google Maps technology, product testing, and community outreach—such as giving presentations at the World Developers’ Summit. I don’t work for Google, but you can think of me as an ambassador.
HK: How did you get noticed by Google?
HT: I have a full-time job doing digital mapping with local technology company Master Concept. But I started studying maps back in secondary school. I used to take a big piece of paper, draw a map of the city and then play toy cars on it. One of my bosses knows the Google person who coordinates the expert community, and he recommended me. That sounds really boring, but that’s how I got the position.
HK: You must love Google a lot to be an ambassador.
HT: The best thing about Google is that it’s free to most people, and that it’s willing to develop a lot of different products and fail. Also, Google set up a page during the earthquake and tsunami in Japan for people to find their lost family and friends. That’s good for brand-building, but it’s still not for profit. Most of their initiatives are ultimately to the benefit of the world: “Don’t be evil.”
HK: Is Google as cool as everyone thinks?
HT: Their office is out of this world. We were having a meeting at the US office, and there were two cabinets in the room. During the meeting, the guy grabbed three cans of coke from them in total. That was so cool.
HK: Do you use Google Maps?
HT: Mostly for calculating travel times. You have to be careful about the directions Google Maps gives you. I was following Google’s directions one day but the road was under construction. This information wasn’t conveyed to Google’s team, resulting in the not-so-correct routing.
HK: So what do you do as a Google Trusted Photographer?
HT: I take the business view—not the street view—of shops and businesses on Google Maps. We take 360-degree views of the inside of businesses like restaurants and hotels. If you’re making a reservation at the restaurant, you can find out which table you want and ask for that. You can check out Bentley’s store in Causeway Bay on Google Maps and browse the cars before you buy.
HK: What’s unique about mapping Hong Kong?
HT: Hong Kong’s road network is too complicated for Google’s technology. Sometimes for a straight road, you can’t go straight ahead and have to turn. For some crossroads, you can’t U-turn. Google has no way to deal with those complexities yet.
HK: Does it help you get girls?
HT: Before, when I told people I work in digital mapping, it just led to confusion. Now I tell them I work for Google Maps, and that’s instantly understood. Some find it interesting… and some just complain about Google Maps to me.
HK: Have you met Google CEO Larry Page in person?
HT: We were attending a conference in San Francisco. We couldn’t get into the hall so we listened outside. I WhatsApped my boss and said, “Who is this person? His voice sounds horrible.” He said that it was Larry Page. I was very embarrassed.
HK: Do you think you could go a day without technology?
HT: Let me tell you how much Google technology I use on an average day. I use my Android phone to set the alarm. I check the calendar for meetings and then Google Maps for the travelling time. I use Google Hangouts to meet with overseas clients. I could definitely survive without Google, but Google is becoming more like an international language.
Find out more about Tam at www.mapthod.info.
