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Google Maps Gets Massive Street View Update
SternisheFan writes "Google Maps has been updated with what's described as the 'biggest ever" increase in Street View photography, with more than 250,000 miles of road around the world gaining street-level imagery. Street View coverage has been boosted in eleven countries, with new 'special collections' of photography, giving more insight into particular landmarks. Google has also sent its cameras inside some landmarks, so you can now step into Kronborg castle in Denmark, for instance. The search giant uses a combination of Street View photography cars, bikes, and even individually-work camera backpacks to gather its footage. Support for viewing Street View on mobile devices has been contentious in recent weeks, with Apple's decision to oust Google Maps from iOS 6 and replace it with its own Apple Maps app. Google re-added access by updating its webapp, however, and has promised a native version of Google Maps for iOS by the end of the year."
Kidding. I am surprised, however, that they don't just continually update the entire database as they drive their vehicles around. It would be nice to have access to the older imagery as well, when they update.
Around last December, I bought a $100 VirginMobile Optimus V Android low-end 'starter smartphone, and I haven't regretted it for a minute! The people I knew were all telling me I should buy an iPhone, but they couldn't come up with a good reason to justify my paying all that extra $ for one. It'll take years for their maps to even come close to where google maps is at today. Yep, I'm proud to say I'm a (50+ year old) 'google-boy', who now also enjoys playing all the old arcade games on his $100 ICS tablet. Streetview's worth all the money that it hasn't cost me. I travel the world from my lazyboy anytime I feel like it, life is okay. :-)