The Street View Randomiser

MapCrunch - Random Street View

Do you feel lucky?

This fun Google Maps application displays a random Street View image from anywhere in the world. To view a random image from Street View all you have to do is press the 'Go' button.

If you want to narrow down the randomness of the image you can select to view only Street View imagery from particular countries. Each country with Street View imagery has its own button and each can be set to on or off. MapCrunch also offers the option to avoid country roads.

My favourite button however is the 'auto' button which allows the user to just sit back and watch as a succesion of random Street Views appear on your screen.

Google Street View Roulette

Street View Funny, the Street View Gallery website, created this Street View randomiser a while back now. Street View roulette is restricted to imagery from the UK. To play Street View Roulette just press the 'Random Google Street View' button.

Show & Tell with Google Maps

ShowMe Maps

ShowMe Maps allows users to create their own maps/directories with Google Maps and Google Street View.

Using ShowMe Maps users can can create a Google Map with a number of locations, all of which can also be viewed using Street View. The maps can contain up to four categories of map marker which can be accessed by drop-down menus.

Maps created by users all have a unique URL, as well as titles and a description field for each location. Maps can also be added to www.ShowMeWORLD.comwhich allows others to find and view the maps.

To create a Street View ShowMe map you just need to use locations where Google has generated Street Views. Once you have created a map there are options provided to include a link from your existing website or you are free to create custom links to your map.

Samples of existing ShowMe maps include the Town of Bridgewater, the Town of Lunenburg and Universities of Canada.

Subway Path Finder Subway Path Finder is a Flash based route finder for a number of subway systems around the world. Currently the application works for LA, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, Moscow, Tokyo and Mexico City. To start using the application you first need to select which city's subway system you want to use. Once you have selected a city a map of its subway system will load. You can now select any of the subways stations as your starting point and destination by simply clicking on any of the stations displayed on the map. Once you have selected the route an animation will play showing your route and any changes you need to make on the journey. Two Google Maps are also displayed to show your starting station and destination station on a street map. The application also comes with the option of getting a route from any location to museums, restaurants, theatres, nightclubs and hospitals. When you choose to view a route to any of these points of interest the Google Map also shows you your walking directions from the nearest subway station to your choice of museum, hotel etc.

I get a few emails every day regarding Google Earth's "historical imagery" feature, so now seems like a good time to revisit the topic. Frank first wrote about this new feature back in early 2009 when it was released as part of Google Earth 5. I'll leave his content below, as it's a great introduction to how it works, but first we need to discuss one oft-overlooked aspect of historical imagery.

Historical Imagery can be newer

We mentioned it back in February of this year, but it's important to realize that the newest imagery in Google Earth can often be found in this historical imagery feature.

Google is very careful about the imagery that they release to the default layer. If new imagery is good (but not good enough), they'll often it put it in the historical imagery layer. Reasons why it might not be "good enough" can be due to some clouds in the way, haze/pollution, sun at the wrong angle (lots of shadows), and things of that nature. Despite whatever minor shortcoming it may have, the imagery still may be of value to you, so be sure to check for it.

How to use the Historical Imagery feature

Google already had more satellite and aerial imagery available for free than anyone. Now, they've added a new feature to new Google Earth 5 that let's you turn back the clock and see other imagery they have for locations around the world. Click on the little "Clock" icon in the upper middle (or the "View->Historical Imagery" menu item). A time slider appears (see below) showing available imagery. If other imagery is available in your current view, you see little tic marks on the slider. Drag the slider (or click the left/right buttons) to see earlier or (or even newer) imagery.

For example, here's a shot of the famous "Bird's Nest" stadium from the 2008 Beijing Olympics as it appeared under construction on February 17, 2007:

This feature is amazing! The amount of data Google is storing must be immense! Several instances of imagery for millions of square kilometers! You may be able to see how your house changed over the years, or see aerial pictures of cities from decades ago. Expect to see lots of posts on this new feature.

Subway Route Planners with Google Maps

Subway Path Finder

Subway Path Finder is a Flash based route finder for a number of subway systems around the world. Currently the application works for LA, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, Moscow, Tokyo and Mexico City.

To start using the application you first need to select which city's subway system you want to use. Once you have selected a city a map of its subway system will load. You can now select any of the subways stations as your starting point and destination by simply clicking on any of the stations displayed on the map. 

Once you have selected the route an animation will play showing your route and any changes you need to make on the journey. Two Google Maps are also displayed to show your starting station and destination station on a street map.

The application also comes with the option of getting a route from any location to museums, restaurants, theatres, nightclubs and hospitals. When you choose to view a route to any of these points of interest the Google Map also shows you your walking directions from the nearest subway station to your choice of museum, hotel etc.