Just like that (snap), Google turned on Street View for almost the entire United States. Just a year ago, 23 cities had the engaging/time-wasting feature that allowed photos of public streets to be rotated and tilted to show nearly every angle. Naturally, Street View was hugely popular almost immediately; the technology was made possible only by Google's huge capacity to handle graphics.
Small Google cars, often a Prius or VW, would roam the streets with an innocuous 11-lens camera mounted on the roof to capture an image about every ten feet. Faces have been blurred, so don't think you will be peeping; however, there have been some rather unusual moments. Check out the video to see what I mean.
Country-Wide Interactive Online Exploration
Google Street View Released for U.S.
Trend Themes
1. Expanded Online Exploration - More companies will develop interactive platforms that provide engaging visual experiences for consumers.
2. Increased Use of Street-level Imagery - Industries such as real estate and tourism will increasingly use street-level imagery to provide virtual experiences for customers.
3. Advanced Graphics and Imaging Technology - Advancements in graphics and imaging technology will continue to provide companies with new opportunities for immersive, interactive experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - The technology industry will continue to innovate and develop new applications for interactive, street-level imagery.
2. Real Estate - Real estate companies can use street-level imagery to provide virtual property tours for potential buyers.
3. Tourism - The tourism industry can use street-level imagery to provide virtual tours of destinations, allowing customers to explore before making a booking.