Happy Face 29 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Google has launched the UK version of its Street View service, which allows users to browse a selection of pictures taken along city streets. Street scenes in 25 UK cities from Aberdeen to Southampton can be viewed using the service. The Netherlands version of the service also launched on Thursday, bringing the number of countries covered to nine. The imagery available comprises video taken along 22,369 miles of UK streets by customised camera cars. Google Maps users can zoom in to a given location and then drag the "Pegman" icon above the zoom bar on to a given street. UK CITIES ON STREET VIEW Aberdeen Belfast Birmingham Bradford Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Coventry Derby Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow Leeds Liverpool London Oxford Manchester Newcastle Norwich Nottingham Scunthorpe Sheffield Southampton Swansea York A picture view of that street appears, which users can control to get a 360-degree view of the area or to progress on street level, throughout the city. Google says it has gone to great lengths to ensure privacy, suggesting that the service only shows imagery already visible from public thoroughfares. It also uses face recognition technology to blur out faces and licence plates that appear in the images. 'Slipped halo' The Information Commissioner's Office ruled in 2008 that the face- and licence plate-blurring were sufficient to ensure that privacy was maintained. However, Simon Davies of Privacy International says that existing case law suggests that images for commercial purposes cannot be taken without prior consent of those who appear in the images. The ICO did not rule on that point in 2008, meaning that the law on privacy protection remains unclear. Mr Davies objects to the fact that "Google had not consulted with the very communities that it was about to capture" in order to address that issue. "The Holy Grail is to know as much as possible but to protect to the greatest extent privacy rights. Google's halo has slipped for the very reason that it believes in the first part of the equation but not in the second," he told BBC News. HAVE YOUR SAY In what way is it an invasion of privacy? They're taking pictures of houses, not you. Graham, Sheffield Send us your commentsHowever, Mr Davies does not object to the Street View service altogether. "We're not trying to destroy the concept of Street View, what we're saying is that it should be deployed in an environment of historic rights, and people shouldn't be seduced into believing that just because a technology appears to be cool it must be allowed to proceed." A Google spokesperson countered: "The images in Street View are lawful. The Street View feature only contains imagery gathered on public property. The imagery is no different from what any person can readily capture or see walking down the street." What is more, the service provides "easily accessible tools for flagging inappropriate or sensitive imagery for review and removal". Art partner Artworks, pub recommendations, and tourist attractions appear beside images Among Google's partners in the venture is Tate, who have worked with Google to integrate precise locations in the UK associated with artworks by JMW Turner and John Constable, which can then be viewed alongside their real-world locations. Other partners have selected a gallery of images to showcase the UK's attractions. London mayor Boris Johnson said: "It is simply fascinating, even for a Londoner like me, to whiz over Westminster Bridge past the Houses of Parliament, soak up the majesty of Regent's Park, take in the stupendous views from Primrose Hill or simply wander around the streets near where I live." Also, hidden among the images is the popular children's book character Wally - of striped-jumper Where's Wally? fame - in one UK location. St james park... http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=...=1&ct=title Just drag the little orange man to where you want to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 18038 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 That's an amazing application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walliver 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I'm on the Edinburgh one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 That is insane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 Meenzer will like this one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WubbleUC 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I can see me Fatha through his front room window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 14136 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I'm in Edinburgh on Saturday, I'll be sure to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I can see me Fatha through his front room window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WubbleUC 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I can see me Fatha through his front room window. It's really hard to make out like but I'm sure it is, he's definitely in because the car is on the drive and the front door is open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khay 8 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 My street is not on the Aberdeen one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Fucking hell theyve done our street Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) This is the square next to me. Edited March 19, 2009 by Park Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 One of the oldest houses in Hamburg (Just round the corner). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 14136 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I'm so proud of my neighbourhood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Where I have coffee on Sat mornings. 2 min away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawD 31 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Fuck me thats fantastic! Even got my last three houses is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Onion 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Amazing, I could spend hours playing with that. I had the scary thought though that there might come a day when it's live. Imagine the snooping potential Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 Amazing, I could spend hours playing with that. I had the scary thought though that there might come a day when it's live. Imagine the snooping potential I'm sure Al qaeda appreciate the help too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Used it last year for planning bits of me hol to the U.S. It's furkin' burilliant imo. Google maps and this little gizmo are just the bizz. Love the Sven's Adult Books pic "What you got there? Tell you what, I'll do you a deal." Anyone who's been in there to make some purchases will probably have had the same sales patter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6321 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I've just emailed our lass a screenshot of her front door....... She's not impressed it's on the web like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I've just emailed our lass a screenshot of her front door....... She's not impressed it's on the web like! What about her rear entrance????!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Used it last year for planning bits of me hol to the U.S. It's furkin' burilliant imo. Google maps and this little gizmo are just the bizz. Love the Sven's Adult Books pic "What you got there? Tell you what, I'll do you a deal." Anyone who's been in there to make some purchases will probably have had the same sales patter My mate (and yes it was my fucking mate before you say owt ) asked for something with young girls in and he got a given a magazine called 'Young Girls'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Used it last year for planning bits of me hol to the U.S. It's furkin' burilliant imo. Google maps and this little gizmo are just the bizz. Love the Sven's Adult Books pic "What you got there? Tell you what, I'll do you a deal." Anyone who's been in there to make some purchases will probably have had the same sales patter My mate (and yes it was my fucking mate before you say owt ) asked for something with young girls in and he got a given a magazine called 'Young Girls'. Well, he did ask!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I've just emailed our lass a screenshot of her front door....... She's not impressed it's on the web like! What about her rear entrance????!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now