Google’s Maps and Earth programs are by far some of the best navigation and exploration apps available for consumers. Recently, Google held a press conference where they debuted some new technology that will be incorporated into their Maps and Earth apps. These technologies mainly effect street view and a new fly-over view, but updates such as offline mode and 3D are also some great things to look forward to.
Fly-over View
So Google sent out a fleet of cars equipped with panoramic view cameras to tour the world, in order to initially create the function that we now know as Google Street View. This popular feature of Google maps provides a realistic, well, street view of many destinations throughout the planet.
So, how would Google create their new and soon to be released feature, Fly-over View? The answer is, by contracting out a fleet of small airplanes equipped with similar, but more advanced high-speed panoramic cameras.
With Fly-over view, you will be able to use Google Maps to explore cities and popular destinations from of course, the view from an airplane. Aside from this, the aerial view will provide more range for basic Google Maps features.
3 Dimensional
Additionally, Google is banking on the popularity of 3D in today’s technology word by adding some 3D features of their own to their Maps and Earth apps.
The advanced cameras that were outfitted on the Google powered airplanes were able to capture tons of images at a time, from several different angles. With some editing, via a process called stereophotogamitry, a network of computers takes all of these captured images and processes them through algorithms to find the highest quality images.
From there, the computer composes these pictures and fits them together to form a 3D view.
Street View Extended
Although Google is focusing a lot of their efforts towards the new technology going into Fly-over view, they still want to grow and make the existing Street View better, also.
As mentioned above, cars were initially the main source of capturing images for Street View. However, Google is now using a full range panoramic camera that can be outfitted on a simple backpack.
With this more versatile camera, Google will now be able to capture images from what was before unexplored territory. Outfitted with the new Google backpack, a motocross rider or BMX biker could capture images that are more out there and less urban, for example.
Here are some pics of some of Google’s awesome Maps and Earth devices:
Airplane
Backpack
Trolley
Trike
Snowmobile
Car
Offline Mode
Google has also announced offline mode for their Maps and GPS services. With offline mode, you will now have the option to download a portion of a map prior to taking a road trip or other commute.
With the map downloaded and stored to the device, Google software can render the map for turn by turn directions, even without an active internet or 3G/4G connection. So, even if you’re out of wireless range, Google Maps can still provide accurate navigation using Offline Mode.
Thank you for stopping by the site for today’s post. Although not a tutorial, today’s post was simply an overview of some Google Maps and Earth features that will likely be introduced very soon. Google plans to release some of the features, such as Fly-over view, in selected cities, for the initial launch. However, after the debut and the beta stuff, Google will likely push this technology to more locations. Enjoy!
Fly-over View
So Google sent out a fleet of cars equipped with panoramic view cameras to tour the world, in order to initially create the function that we now know as Google Street View. This popular feature of Google maps provides a realistic, well, street view of many destinations throughout the planet.
So, how would Google create their new and soon to be released feature, Fly-over View? The answer is, by contracting out a fleet of small airplanes equipped with similar, but more advanced high-speed panoramic cameras.
With Fly-over view, you will be able to use Google Maps to explore cities and popular destinations from of course, the view from an airplane. Aside from this, the aerial view will provide more range for basic Google Maps features.
3 Dimensional
Additionally, Google is banking on the popularity of 3D in today’s technology word by adding some 3D features of their own to their Maps and Earth apps.
The advanced cameras that were outfitted on the Google powered airplanes were able to capture tons of images at a time, from several different angles. With some editing, via a process called stereophotogamitry, a network of computers takes all of these captured images and processes them through algorithms to find the highest quality images.
From there, the computer composes these pictures and fits them together to form a 3D view.
Street View Extended
Although Google is focusing a lot of their efforts towards the new technology going into Fly-over view, they still want to grow and make the existing Street View better, also.
As mentioned above, cars were initially the main source of capturing images for Street View. However, Google is now using a full range panoramic camera that can be outfitted on a simple backpack.
With this more versatile camera, Google will now be able to capture images from what was before unexplored territory. Outfitted with the new Google backpack, a motocross rider or BMX biker could capture images that are more out there and less urban, for example.
Here are some pics of some of Google’s awesome Maps and Earth devices:
Airplane
Backpack
Trolley
Trike
Snowmobile
Car
Offline Mode
Google has also announced offline mode for their Maps and GPS services. With offline mode, you will now have the option to download a portion of a map prior to taking a road trip or other commute.
With the map downloaded and stored to the device, Google software can render the map for turn by turn directions, even without an active internet or 3G/4G connection. So, even if you’re out of wireless range, Google Maps can still provide accurate navigation using Offline Mode.
Thank you for stopping by the site for today’s post. Although not a tutorial, today’s post was simply an overview of some Google Maps and Earth features that will likely be introduced very soon. Google plans to release some of the features, such as Fly-over view, in selected cities, for the initial launch. However, after the debut and the beta stuff, Google will likely push this technology to more locations. Enjoy!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment