The InformationWeek -- Blogs

Google

Topics:   Google

  • Email this page E-mail this page
  • Print this page Print this page
  • Bookmark and Share
  • icon

Google Adds Street View To Driving Directions


Posted by Eric Zeman, May 1, 2008 03:47 PM

Like the drummer from Green Day, this is Tre(s) Cool. If you use Google Maps to get driving directions from Point A to Point B, you'll now be able to add Street Views to the directions to see a clearer picture of exactly where you're going.


This is the next step in the evolution of directions. First we saw lines printed on 2-D maps. Then came the 3-D software on products such as those from Garmin and TomTom. These displayed a 3-D graphical representation of the buildings and landmarks around you on the screen of your navigation device. With the addition of Street View to Google Maps, you can now see a live picture of where you intend to travel, and portions of the route to get there.

As long as Google has driven its little car down the street and taken pictures of it, the images will be available as a feature in Google Maps.

Google said in a press release, "Users will see camera icons next to each step of their directions, which will open a Street View image of the location, along with an arrow showing the action to be taken. Users can click through their entire route through Street View, and when the journey is complete, a green marker will indicate arrival at their destination. By viewing Street View images alongside directions, drivers have visual context for intersections and action points along their route, enabling them to be aware of landmarks and other factors such as tolls, speed limits, size of the road, and the availability of parking at their destination."

Google isn't the only company providing this type of functionality. During CTIA, I saw a demonstration from Blue Dasher Technologies. Blue Dasher is driving around and providing 360-degree street level views of the country's major metro areas, as well. In contrast to Google's Street View, Blue Dasher's technology allows you to view the front of buildings, look directly at the physical address you're navigating to, see through intersections to get a good idea of which way to turn, and is available on in-car navigation devices, not just PCs. It also takes more pictures per minute than Google does, so more information is available to drivers.

For those who are easily lost, or need landmarks to find new locations, services such as this will be a boon.

« In Emergencies, People Turn To Web 2.0, Not Traditional News | Main | BlackBerry Clamshell, Called The Kickstart, Spotted »



Sign Up Now
For InformationWeek News Alerts




This is a public forum. United Business Media and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not control what is posted herein. United Business Media makes no warranties or guarantees concerning any advice dispensed by its staff members or readers.

Community standards in this comment area do not permit hate language, excessive profanity, or other patently offensive language. Please be aware that all information posted to this comment area becomes the property of United Business Media LLC and may be edited and republished in print or electronic format as outlined in United Business Media's Terms of Service.

Important Note: This comment area is NOT intended for commercial messages or solicitations of business.




 
Sign Up For The Grok on Google Newsletter
Every Thursday, Tom Claburn and his fellow analysts offer all the news, insight, analysis, and strategic thinking you need to understand the company and complex phenomenon known as Google.

Sign up for our free, weekly newsletter today!

Newsletter Archives


  :: THE LATEST GOOGLE NEWS ::



 

  1. Detecting Scalability Problems With Intel Parallel Universe Portal
  2. Just Say No To SFAQL Parallelism
  3. QuickThread: A New C++ Multicore Library


Join The InformationWeek Group On LinkedIn


                           


  1. Apple Steps Into AT&T-Verizon Ad War
  2. Apple Says Users To Blame For iPhone Virus
  3. HP Picks Worst Name Ever For New Smartphone
  4. AT&T's iPhone Stranglehold Ending June 2010?


  1. Apple Accepts PhoneGap For iPhone Development
  2. Apple Seeks Permanent Halt To Psystar Mac Clones
  3. NIST Director Sees Key Role In Emerging Technologies
  4. Sprint Gets Nod To Buy iPCS
  5. FCC Chair Wants More Broadband
  6. Gartner: Data Center Problems Ahead

 

  Ars Technica
Boing Boing
Channel 9 Forums
CRN Blogs
Dr.Dobb's Portal: Blogs
Engadget
Gizmodo
GrokLaw
  Lifehacker
Schneier on Security
Slashdot
TechCrunch
Techdirt
Techmeme
Valleywag

  DECEMBER 2008
NOVEMBER 2008
OCTOBER 2008
SEPTEMBER 2008
AUGUST 2008
JULY 2008
JUNE 2008
MAY 2008
  APRIL 2008
MARCH 2008
FEBRUARY 2008
JANUARY 2008
DECEMBER 2007
NOVEMBER 2007
OCTOBER 2007
SEPTEMBER 2007