Google lets users create own Street View

[Jazzy]

Google has unveiled a new tool that allows users to create a Street View - a 360 degree virtual tour - of any place and share it using Google Maps.

These can be created by using photos taken by an Android phone or DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera.

The tool lets users connect various photos and, once published, people can navigate between them on Google Maps.

Google said the move will allow it to expand the reach as well as the uses of its maps service.

"We are excited to see the different types of Street View experiences that everyone will contribute," the firm said in a blog post.

"For example, this feature can now enable environmental non-profits to document and promote the beautiful places they strive to protect.

"It also opens up a new tool for photographers to showcase diversity in a specific location - by times of day, weather conditions or cultural events - in a way that Street View currently doesn't cover," it added.

Full article

What do you think of this new tool?

Do you think you will use it?

 

[Evil Eye]

Awesome. Soon we'll be able to plan any route in advance and walk it before walking it.
Also, a rather shrewd plan to sort of get a better product for free.

And no, I won't be using it.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Hey everyone, we're tired of driving those mapping cars all around, do our work for us!
-Google

 

[Jazzy]

Not sure I'm liking this tool. I wouldn't want someone to be taking pictures of my home, without my knowledge, and then creating a Street View for everyone to see. As it is now, the Google mapping cars cannot get close enough to my home to take pictures.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Not sure I'm liking this tool. I wouldn't want someone to be taking pictures of my home, without my knowledge, and then creating a Street View for everyone to see. As it is now, the Google mapping cars cannot get close enough to my home to take pictures.

Most people's houses can be seen by Google street view. Mine can, same with everyone I know.

 

[Jazzy]

Not sure I'm liking this tool. I wouldn't want someone to be taking pictures of my home, without my knowledge, and then creating a Street View for everyone to see. As it is now, the Google mapping cars cannot get close enough to my home to take pictures.

Most people's houses can be seen by Google street view. Mine can, same with everyone I know.

I'm on a heavily wooded lot. You cannot see my house by Google street view.

 

[Sinon]

I'd use it, except I don't care enough to do so. Nor do I have a DSLR, or an Android phone.

Nor do I work for Google.

 

[Evil Eye]

Hey everyone, we're tired of driving those mapping cars all around, do our work for us!
-Google

Exactly! Clever, no?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Hey everyone, we're tired of driving those mapping cars all around, do our work for us!
-Google

Exactly! Clever, no?

Yeah. I seen one of those cars a couple months ago though.

 

[Jazzy]

I've never seen one.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

 

[Darth-Apple]

There's not really a such thing as internet privacy anymore, sadly. Especially with recent advances with the NSA, I think that the whole privacy ship sailed long ago.

Seems like an interesting tool, but I'm not sure I'm really going to use it personally. Not yet, at least.