New Delhi: Google has started to roll out the historical Street View for iOS and Android users as Street View recently celebrated its 15th birthday. The feature has always been available for desktop browser users where users can click on Street View mode and "time travel" through image archives.
Fifteen years ago, Street View began as a 360-degree map of the entire world and in 2022, there are over 220 billion Street View images from over 100 countries and territories that allows people to experience what it’s like to be in these places right from their phone or computer. Google Street View helps users not only virtually explore, but it is also critical for Google's mapping efforts, according to the company.
"In addition to our Street View car and trekker, we’re piloting a new camera that will fully roll out next year to help us collect high-quality images in more places. This new camera takes all the power, resolution and processing capabilities that we’ve built into an entire Street View car, and shrinks it down into an ultra-transportable camera system that’s roughly the size of a house cat," Ethan Russell, Director of Product, Google Maps, said in a statement.
"But unlike house cats, it’s ready to be taken to remote islands, up to the tops of mountains or on a stroll through your local town square."
How Google Street View works on iOS and Android
- While viewing Street View imagery of a place, tap anywhere on the photo to see information about the location.
- Then tap "See more dates" to see the historical imagery we’ve published of that place, dating back to when Street View launched in 2007.
- Browse each of the images to see a digital time capsule that shows how a place has changed, like how the Vessel in New York City’s Hudson Yards grew from the ground up.