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Google Adds Satellite Imagery to Maps

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i-can't-see-my-house-from-here dept.

Ant writes "BetaNews reports that Google quietly updated its maps service late Monday to include satellite imagery, a first in the industry... Much of Google Maps remains the same - just with detailed pictures from high-tech satellites instead of standard map graphics. Maps can be dragged to view adjacent areas, which means users do not have click and wait for graphics to reload. Zooming is also instantaneous with the help of a slider placed atop the map." The resolution doesn't seem very high, but the integration is very seamless.

6 of 661 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Different dataset from Keyhole by garcia · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Looks like, at least in parts, the imagery is from an older dataset than what's on the Keyhole service. I live in a large neighborhood that's been under construction for 3 years across the various sections, and there are more houses in the Keyhole dataset than on the Google Maps satellite images.

    We were already talking about this this morning on our local geocaching assocation forum. Two of us (St. Paul and Apple Valley, MN) show that the images are at least 4 years old or newer.

    My house was built in 2001 and it shows it there. Google doesn't know my address and gives something nearby but I still can see the house :)

  2. Re:Erm by ishepherd · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Not really - try mousing over this map (hope the link works).

    --
    fud, notfud, yes, no, maybe
  3. link by coult · · Score: 5, Interesting

    http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.962159395217896, -93.5434341430664&spn=0.008153915405273438,0.01179 0990829467773&t=k&hl=en

    --

    All is Number -Pythagoras.

  4. Re:Erm by rebeka+thomas · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Or until it shows Area 51, which I notice is conspicuously missing.

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    RST
  5. Re:More likely... by PedanticSpellingTrol · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Except that Aerial Ortho dataset was produced by the USGS and is public domain. Check out World Wind 1.3 for a smooth-scrolling, translatable, 3d globe that dynamically downlads any dataset you request and grabs higher res versions as you zoom in.

  6. Re:Comeon, 1 meter per pixel.... by jmc · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Good enough to see SR-71s parked on a tarmac:

    http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kramer+Junction,CA&l l=34.952788,-117.884331&spn=0.006480,0.006738&t=k& hl=en

    Scroll east to see a huge compass rose painted in desert.