Google unveils satellite map feature

[/////AMG]

So good

Online search engine leader Google Inc. has unveiled a new feature that will enable its users to zoom in on homes and businesses using satellite images, an advance that may raise privacy concerns as well as intensify the competitive pressures on its rivals.

The satellite technology, which Google began offering late Monday at http://maps.google.com/ is part of the package that the Mountain View-based company acquired when it bought digital map maker Keyhole Corp. for an undisclosed amount nearly six months ago.

This marks the first time since the deal closed that Google has offered free access to Keyhole's high-tech maps through its search engine. Users previously had to pay $29.95 to download a version of Keyhole's basic software package. A more traditional map will continue to be the first choice served up by Google's search engine. Users will have the option of retrieving a satellite picture by clicking on a button.

Although Google is offering the satellite maps on a test basis, the feature will probably force its other online rivals to upgrade their technology, predicted search industry analyst Greg Sterling of the Kelsey Group. "To play in this space, you are going to need some robust mapping capabilities." Sterling said Google's satellite maps pose the biggest threat to Mapquest, a service owned by Time Warner Corp. that has long operated the most popular Web site for finding directions.

Source: CNN

[Xtrema]

Sat image is only good for US. Canada's sucked.

[sputnik]

Canada isnt that bad. I was able to find old apartment and the field where my house now sits.

Unfortunately on Google the entire west half of Calgary is only low resolution imaging.

[hyperwhite]

i got "ERROR! page not found"

[Go4Long]

gotta remove the comma from the url...

[Proyecto2000]

Originally posted by hyperwhite
i got "ERROR! page not found"

same here so try this one worked for me

http://maps.google.com/maps

[legendboy]

i fixed the link in the first post. pretty cool, i can see right where my house it

[nismodrifter]

this shit is great!!! so much faster than the other BS mapsites!

[AllGoNoShow]

KeyHole has been out for abit but yes its pretty sweet. The features on it like the roads and such are also quite neat, you can basically fly a helicopter to where you want to drive too if you got too much time on your hands, like me.

If you guys check out the Area 51 spot. You can see all teh buildings and the visible roads. Now enable teh transportation routes and such, look at all the roads that are supposed to be there but magically arent, oh and hey theres some through the lake, wtf

[sputnik]

www.map24.com is still the best non-satellite map site

[Carfanman]

The pictures are anywhere from six months to two years old.

So there might be some things missing that should be there or things there that should be gone.

[rage2]

1/2 of calgary has full details, pretty much east of 14th Street NW.

[streetarab]

didnt i say keyhole was the shit? i cant believe they got bought out, google is gonna end up owning everything...

[Ben]

works awesome, put in my address (which most map siters have problems with) and it found it first try, to the doorstep.

[nismodrifter]

pics of calgary are around 2 years old, the golf course my house backs onto is clearly lacking renovations which were done 2 summers ago. Also can see 2 empty lots on my street where houses have not been constructed yet. What a great map site, makes finding things so easy, type in anything and it like knows exactly what you're looking for and points it out in the right hand column and on the map.

When you are on the calgary map type in the name of your doctor, or dentist, OR any person who you think would be listed somewhere on the internet through a company or store or school and it finds it...good for stalking purposes. NUTS!!

[/////AMG]

This site amazing, especially the Direction page!! So easy. I love Google! All they nee dnow is a worldwide map!

[rage2]

I spent a bunch of time looking for the hollywood sign when I was bored. It's clearly visible once you find it.

Anyone else got any cool stuff to hunt for (without cheating and using the location search)? haha, great time waster!

[BerserkerCatSplat]

I've been playing around with Keyhole since it was part of the notpr0n riddle game (still working on that thing), it's a rad piece of software!

[wildrice]

Originally posted by nismodrifter
pics of calgary are around 2 years old, the golf course my house backs onto is clearly lacking renovations which were done 2 summers ago. Also can see 2 empty lots on my street where houses have not been constructed yet. What a great map site, makes finding things so easy, type in anything and it like knows exactly what you're looking for and points it out in the right hand column and on the map.

When you are on the calgary map type in the name of your doctor, or dentist, OR any person who you think would be listed somewhere on the internet through a company or store or school and it finds it...good for stalking purposes. NUTS!!

I think it might be older than that.
If you're talking about the google satelite images.
Cuz there's a park/baseball diamond right beside my house. About 4 years ago more or less, they did construction on the baseball diamond and put fences and bleachers up. In the image that I found of the park, construction hasn't taken place yet.

[hampstor]

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.24...0979&t=k&hl=en

As someone on casemp said.... "i can't see the aliens!"