The Tour de France 2008 has kicked off, and thanks to Google Street View, you can be front and centre to take in the thrilling bike races.
The tech twist on the sporting event is ground breaking, and could well set a new trend for future athletic events and major games. It allows people the unique opportunity to see the races live, as they happen, from the perspective of a spectator on the streets.
Google Street View will allow people to enjoy the Tour de France from its start in Brest, through to Italy and follow it back through the French countryside again until the race concludes in Paris on July 27th.
Google Street View of Tour de France
Virtual Cycling Tours
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Sports Tours - The use of technology to create immersive experiences of sports events in real-time.
2. Live Event Streaming - The trend of live streaming events to allow remote viewership from anywhere in the world.
3. 360-degree Viewing Technology - Innovations in virtual reality and augmented reality that enhance the viewer experience of live events like sports.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Entertainment - The industry dedicated to providing entertainment through sports events can leverage virtual technology to reach a wider and more global audience.
2. Digital Media - The rising trend of live streaming and virtual experiences in sports events will present opportunities for digital media companies to create new content and sponsorships.
3. Technology - The development and improvement of 360-degree viewing technology can open up new markets and applications outside of sports, such as virtual site tours and remote educational experiences.