Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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.

5 of 661 comments (clear)

  1. First post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    And it isn't visible from satellite.. Damn!

  2. OMFG .... U FALE IT!!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    cracky chan is hawt!

  3. Oh Google! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    You will be in my dreams tonight!

  4. y0z by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    hey peepz!!!!!!!!! im new 2 this tech stuff and my 1st tyme hear on slashdot.com wuzzup all????
    how do u get an accont so i can post the news???? i got sum tight stories to share wit u all.
    my name is jame so if any1 can hook me up wit an accont let me noe. nice 2 meet u all, holla back.

  5. An alternative solution that uses less bandwidth by elid · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    There's one problem with Google Maps, and that is that the actual images of the maps are downloaded to the client's computer. This is a serious problem in low-bandwidth environments (i.e. thinwire) where the necessary bandwidth to sustain a usable interface might not be available. A vector-based mapping system, where the rendering is done by the client, is much more useful in such cases. For example, I have worked on a system called G-Vis in the past which is designed for use over thinwire.