I’m a big fan of Google Maps.

When I see people using MapQuest to get directions to places, I cringe. I ask them - “Have you ever used Google Maps” to which most of the time they reply - “Google has maps?“. I then show them the awesomeness that is Google Maps. The responses range from “Cool” to “That is unbelievable”.

This week, Google Maps came out with a new enhancement - something they are calling StreetView. Basically, they’ve taken a van, equipped with a 360° camera, and drove on streets, taking a full panoramic picture every few feet. They then added these pictures into Google Maps to allow you to view actual pictures of streets as if you were there with them.

For example, I looked up “Late Show with David Letterman, New York” and it shows me the view below.

You can then “stroll” down the street by clicking on the arrows inside the map.

So how is this actually useful? Well for starters it allows you to see landmarks in real pictures. Say for example your going to visit New York, but don’t know how to get to a restaurant or a hotel. Street View can show you what building down the street, next door, etc look like. By allowing people to see what actual buildings look like from your view point (instead of the top of the building from satellites images, you can more easily find your destination. Like Miami Ink for example!

Currently this is just in a few US cities. There’s been some concerns about privacy, catching people “at the wrong time”, but hey it’s a public street.

Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated nor work for Google (I wish I did), I just like their products

-Kiazyk