Google Streets - My House!

Author: jawapro
Date: Tue 05/08/2008 09:55 PM




 

Remember when you first saw Google Earth. Remember how cool it was?

Well - prepare to feel that way all over again.

Google has released Google Streets for Australia. They did it a while ago for some cities in the US, but now they've hit Aussie, and hit it hard.

http://maps.google.com.au/help/maps/streetview/

Street View means you can walk along certain streets looking at 360 images as you go. Google had special cars with cameras on top that took photos as they toured around.

It wasnt long ago that half of devonport was still lousy quality images - now all the streets have Street View. You just enter my address, and up pops a picture of my house (still for sale - so it was a while ago). You can even go for a stroll inside the Vehicle Deck of one of the Spirit Of Tasmania ferries!

So if you live in a city or town, plug your address in and see if Google can show you your house. It's pretty cool.



Comments: 9

 

Comment: 1

Author: Tulip
Date: Wed 06/08/2008 08:01 AM




I bet it doesn't know Hjorts Rd yet.

 

Comment: 2

Author: jawapro
Date: Wed 06/08/2008 09:49 AM




Actually, it does - but the photos dont drive up the road. You can see your house from the main highway though.

 

Comment: 3

Author: turkeybrain
Date: Wed 06/08/2008 11:55 AM




I've got to say, it's a bit freaky when you walk into the computer lab and see one of your friends looking at your house. Just a little freaky...

It was only released yesterday, by the way. It's going to be so useful for my job, where I have to go and do stuff at people's houses!

Also interesting, they're probably about to be dragged through the courts, as Google's being accused of invading privacy. I don't think it will affect them, but it might be an interesting case...

 

Comment: 4

Author: omnimors
Date: Fri 08/08/2008 02:57 AM

More than freaky, I was able to quickly (<2min) find your address based on the image you provided. 

As for the whole privacy issue, what's displayed isn't private.  Any member of the public could drive down this road and see this view.  What's scaring people is that the information is neatly stored, and easily accessible. 

Personally, I love maps.google.  It's great to be able to "drive" where you want just sitting at the computer. 

 

Comment: 5

Author: trojen
Date: Fri 08/08/2008 11:19 AM

hmmm... every place i have lived at has trees directly infront of them. 

so i suggest everyone paranoid about invasion of privacy should plant trees out the front and maybe on the roof of your house and then nobody can see you.

or move to a place where google doesnt think anyone lives.

 

 

Comment: 6

Author: jawapro
Date: Fri 08/08/2008 12:12 PM




The coverage in Tassie is pretty extreme. Even the dirt road between Gladestone and St Helens (the Ansons Bay Road) has photos all the way.

That's pretty impressive.

 

Comment: 7

Author: LittleSis
Date: Fri 08/08/2008 06:07 PM




But where I live in the middle of suburban Hobart is not covered. Strange.

 

Comment: 8

Author: jawapro
Date: Sat 09/08/2008 11:08 AM




Yes it is - your car wasnt there though.

 

Comment: 9

Author: LittleSis
Date: Sat 09/08/2008 12:15 PM




Your right, when I looked the first time it didn't go blue, maybe I was just too impatient.

It was back when Phil lived next door so it was the end of last year sometime because his car is on the lawn.