Kathy’s Tech Blog

If you use Google Maps to look up an address or find directions, you may have seen the “Street View” option. Going beyond the satellite photography we’re accustomed to from Google Earth, Street View (introduced in May 2007) provides ground-level panoramic photographs of an area, much like one would capture while walking down the block. To get these images, Google sent camera-equipped vehicles to roam various metropolitan areas around the country.

I’ve known for some time that Google was doing this. What I didn’t realize was how quickly they got to my area (Albany, NY was added by February 2008) and how much they got (my street). Plugging my own address into Google Maps, I see that the Google-mobile went right past my house.

And I missed it! I would have waved or something.

Judging by the content of the photo, it was summer, since the vegetation is green and full, lawn mowing appears to be in full swing, and my neighbor’s sunflowers are blooming. It was definitely a Friday — garbage day, since the cans are out on the curb. (And I’d guess the trucks have probably already come by since the recycling bins are overturned.) The position of the sun (it’s a clear day) makes me think it was early afternoon.

Even though Google may be within its rights taking photographs from public roads, the pictures do creep me out a little for their “Big Brother” feel. In the street view near my address, you can see a couple (albeit unidentifiable) walking along the side of the road. There are even web sites such as this one dedicated to strange Google Street View sightings. To Google’s credit, it appears they have gone back and obscured portions of photos that may not have been appropriate for public display (e.g., crimes being committed, people whose thongs are showing). But Google’s Street View definitely has people asking the question of how much information is too much.