New Google maps feature

[bornonaug9]

Google feature incorporates satellite maps

APR. 4 10:53 P.M. ET Online search engine leader Google has unveiled a new feature that will enable its users to zoom in on homes and businesses using satellite images, an advance that may raise privacy concerns as well as intensify the competitive pressures on its rivals.


http://maps.google.com/

 

[TheNiteHwk]

So where and how do we zoom in?

 

[hambone]

On Google I see streets but it doesn't show buildings

 

[TheNiteHwk]

<"an advance that may raise privacy concerns">

What privacy? There are already cameras all over the place. Some are even under public control. For example there is a camera on top of the ManuLife Centre that you (or anybody) can control. Left, right, up, down and zoom. I wish I could remember the url so I could post. Last time I was playing with it months ago I was looking on to people's balconies downtown etc. The only draw back is after three minutes you must relinquish control and then wait in line till your turn comes up again.

 

[Esco!]

Who's that guy on the street whacking off???
Oh wait, its just Goober

 

[bornonaug9]

Google - Images are not live feed

If you are looking up city of Toronto go to http://www.toronto.ca/torontomaps/index.htm and click on aerial view. These images are few years old. I think in a few years' time, live satellite feed is possible for civilian. ,

 

[papasmerf]

Keep this in mind, those pictures being produced are not live views. in most cases they are 30 to 60 days old. Now if some was watching they done already seen.

 

[Why Not?]

There is another website called Keyhole. Google just bought them.
www.keyhole.com
You must subscribe to it but it will do a flyin from outer space to a street address using satellite imagery. For the US it's actually indexed by street address. I've seen it done and it is most impressive. One guy I know in the US tried it and he could see his truck in the driveway.

 

[Bboy]

Just checked it out......HEY WHERE'S MY CAR!!!!

 

[James Bong]

Damn, talk about extreme close up!!!

Think they can get a little closer to The Girl Next Door?!?!?!



:

 

[Cardinal Fang]

Very Impressive!

I did a search of Sheik's house. Incredible photo, the lights were on and no one was home.

*Looks around*

What?

 

[C Dick]

The Google map is indeed impressive, I liked the way you could toggle back and forth between map and satelite picture, scroll either one, then toggle again, etc. The resolution is not that high, I could see my house and some cars, but not pick out what cars they were. I assume that is only a matter of time.

 

[Stoo]

One guy I know in the US tried it and he could see his truck in the driveway.

That's it. I'm cancelling my new sky-lights.

I was farting around with Google tonight before I saw this thread... pretty cool. I could see my truck.. or at least a little blob that was where I park... I'm going to put a big orange 'X' on the roof and check back in a while!

 

[icto]

I tried the free trial of Google Keyhole a while back. Reasonably enough, it's very slow to download images. Outside of Toronto, the resolution for Canada is extremely poor, so I didn't subscribe.

I recently got all the Ontario topographic maps (South of Thunder Bay or so)on CD-ROM - SoftMap Plus. Very quick and useful. If only it had more street names.

 

[Svend]

Just a background to keep you cautious of Google.
http://google-watch.org/

Check this alternative out, some are building a smarter engine.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2005/tc2005014_2937.htm
http://clusty.com/