Google Maps’ Street View feature was created 15 years ago, and since then, has added more than 220 billion Street View images from over 100 countries and territories. Many of us have taken advantage of its capabilities, especially scoping out unknown locations before heading there in person. To celebrate the anniversary, the company announced upgrades today, including a feature on its iOS and Android apps that will display historical Street View imagery right on your phone. Google is also introducing a new camera that is more portable and easier to capture high-quality images in more places.
In 2014, desktop users were finally able to use Google Maps’ Street View to go back in time to see older images of their town or their house that definitely needed those new renovations. Now, the service’s iOS and Android apps will have this same ability to access a location’s historical imagery.
Google is also testing a newly upgraded camera system that will fully roll out in 2023. It is designed to make more frequent updates as well as be mounted to any type of vehicle.
This will be a lot easier to collect Street View data from under-mapped areas of the world such as the Amazon jungle.
Video creatior: CNN Business