The real estate market may not be as strong as it was a year ago, but in terms of web development, there’ll be none of that. Web tech, design and UI continues to push the capabilities of data view layers to new heights. Case in point, Trulia’s new “Snapshot,” a cool new bit of eye candy that gives users the ability to get results via sliders (with a slick motion touch on the thumbnail scroll). Another nice, albeit not particularly useful touch is that you drag photos out of the way to view what’s behind, then snapping back into place via a rubber band effect.

Although fun, it’s not very practical from a usability POV. I’d rather “fly through” or have the option to have the image automatically move out of the way if I mouse into an area. All in all, a solid visual take on an everyday application. At least Trulia is showing that they clearly “get it.”

via TechCrunch

Stamen, a design and technology shop, is best known for its industry-leading interface work. Again, they deliver another crisp execution in the form of Oakland Crimespotting, a map-based visual informational device. Building upon the work of the Oakland Police Department, they were inspired to take matters into their own hands by reshaping the half-baked government mapping site into a rich web app.

It’s always a pleasure to see new work from this highly talented group of individuals from San Francisco.