Google Street View of the Student Union Building at UBC
In May of 2007, Google launched a new technology called Google Street View that provided panoramic pictures of streets all around the world. From home, no matter where it might be, one could Google any position or address and see images of the actual location.
This past week, Google announced that their Street View feature is now moving indoors. They claim it is a great way to help businesses build their online presence. This new addition will allow people to view 360-degree images inside certain establishments. At first this will be limited to businesses in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the US. The idea is on a completely voluntary basis, and retailers must request a photoshoot or send in their own pictures.
An Australian chocolate shop, one of the first users of the indoor feature of Google Street View
Personally, I think this is a useful new feature. Online pictures will help retailers with marketing, and it will also benefit consumers by allowing them to familiarize themselves with the business before actually going. In therms of privacy, all customers and employees will be warmed about photoshoots and any bystanders will be blurred, so intrusion should not be an issue.
Article Source: Google’s Maps Street View service pilots indoor photos