Google Maps Street View
Wednesday, 30th May 2007 by James Turnbull
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?
this is sick, yet oddly creepy… ahh technology…
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.
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?
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
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.
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 🙂
Re: sarah
Found it!
View Placemark
Oh yeah, the API doesn’t work… maybe this link will work!
View Placemark
“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.
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?
Drive down Lombard street anyone?
View Placemark
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.
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