Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Google Maps Street View

Posted by James, Wednesday, 30th May 2007

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If you haven’t yet heard about the Google Maps street view launched yesterday, then make sure to check it out.

Although currently only available in 5 U.S. cities, there’s loads to see on the panorama images and it’s all wrapped up in a very fluid interface.

The first great find is Google employees posing outside their office. Zoom in and you’ll see that many are wielding garden tools and orange flags?

13 Responses to 'Google Maps Street View'

  1. 1. noj says:

    this is sick, yet oddly creepy… ahh technology…

  2. 2. Parker says:

    The best use of panorama software I’ve ever seen, and I remember when QTVR came out. Impressive, comprehensive, and useful. It would be nice if the images didn’t have so much motion blur, but I suppose it’s hard to avoid seeing how they’re taken while driving. Faster shutter speed? It does have excellent integration with the map system, and it’s cool to see places I’ve been in real life.

  3. 3. Nev says:

    Some funky details:

    http://gregsadetsky.com/?p=81
    http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/05/photos_the_geek.html

    Debate in the office was much and varied but I can’t help wonder how long before this is used to help solve a crime?

  4. 4. quarterbeck says:

    you’ve got to change the language of your browser to english in order to see the street view, e.g. in a “german-speaking” firefox go to “extras”, “einstellungen”, “erweitert” and make sure “english - US” is on top of the list

  5. Google Sightseeing Admin
    5. Alex says:

    Note: I’ve changed the links to go to google maps - not our map page - as the API doesn’t support street level views yet.

  6. 6. sarah says:

    there’s a fun one if you look in the Vegas street view. Put the little guy right in front of the Bellagio fountains, on Las Vegas Blvd, and you will see a giant billboard/semi with a very “Vegas-y” ad on it. It seems to capture Vegas quite well :)

  7. 7. EAF says:

    Re: sarah

    Found it!

    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  8. 8. EAF says:

    Oh yeah, the API doesn’t work… maybe this link will work!

    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  9. 9. Alex says:

    “Zoom in and you’ll see that many are wielding garden tools and orange flags?”

    What’s the bet it’s a puzzle? A clue to some quasi-online treasure hunt.

  10. 10. cookie monster says:

    I may be stating the bleeding obvious but those Google employees are a right proper bunch of geeks!
    I suppose thats what we expect of our internet pioneers though eh?

  11. Google Sightseeing Admin
    11. Alex says:

    Drive down Lombard street anyone?

    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  12. 12. Luke says:

    I dunno what to say about this. It’s cool I guess. Also a bit creepy. Oh well.

    I’m surprised they don’t blank out license plates though.

  13. 13. Jack says:

    I just read about this on drudgereport.com Apparently there is also some from outside a strip club.

    on a side note… have you seen what they google employees have to work with… the poor souls
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YA9QWceEfE

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