Google Giving Up On Street View In Germany Due To “Massive” Opt Outs.

It appears that Germans aren’t too fond of Google’s Street View no matter how helpful it may seem. Reports are circulating that after opt out requests surpassed 250,000+, Google basically pulled the plug on continuing their German tour aimed at increasing their Street View database. Considering that Germany has over 8.5 million houses currently cataloged, we’re not quite sure what Google is thinking. Yeah — there will be some considerable blurring in certain areas. But is ~250,000 out of 8.5 million (and previously counting) really so much to just give up?

Apparently to Google it is. But to be clear, Google has only stated that they are no longer pursuing Street View captures. They have not, however, stated exactly why they are pulling out. Looks like Microsoft’s recently announced “Street Side” is going to face some skepticism.

Any German readers happy/sad with the news?

Angry German, Pro-Google Posse Throwing Eggs at Blurred Houses. #weirdnews

If there’s one thing Germans really like, it’s Google’s Street View technologies and services. Unfortunately, the latest wave of crackdowns in European nations are forcing Google to blur domiciles that don’t want to be featured online. Apparently, some people have a problem with this. But instead of lobbying government (rarely works), the disgruntled group choose eggs instead — hurling eggs to be more exact. Attached to those little eggs were notes that simply stated “Google’s Cool”. Confused?

Thank god, the penguins are now safe: Google Street View comes to Antarctica.

Thanks to Google’s VP of engineering, Brian McClendon, penguins in the frozen wasteland that is Antarctica can now be at peace — Google Street View has officially arrived. On a recent rip, Brian took a Street View camera with him and snapped some panorama shots of the desolate region on “Half Moon Island”. Since I won’t be venturing to Antarctica anytime soon (nor will anyone of you), the added Street View real state is more entertaining than useful. The penguins, however, may have a different view.

Google: “If EU mandates 6-month data retention policy, we’re packin’ up and high steppin’ it outta here”

EU residents may want to write/call/email/text their local governments and let them know any bill or law that drops data retention limits from 12 months to 6 is a bad idea. Especially so because if it does pass, Google Street View will be no more. They’re stating that if data retention limits are lowered for the original unblurred images from twelve to six months, the accuracy, integrity, and overall usefulness will be dimished. After those 6-months, if Google wants fresh unblurred images, they’ll have to drive all over kingdom come again, resnapping life as it happens. The short answer would be to hire more Street View drivers to scan more often. But is that really the answer?

I just can’t see the reasoning behind the “privacy” motives if the images will still be online for many months at a time. What’s the difference in a screen capture from Street View whether it’s six or twelve months? Am I missing something here?

Bloomberg

EU lays down the law: Google has to re-snap all of EU land every 6 months.

In the current economy, acquiring or even maintaining a job is pretty hard stuff. If you are lucky enough to keep a job, work is often sporadic and pay is stagnant or reduced. “Job security” is highly sought after. If job security is really what you’re after, Google is “the” place to be — specifically the Street View team.

A new EU ruling documented in Article 29 states that the current 12-month time span is a “too disproportionate” amount of time for images to be stored. Ok, fair enough. The new limit proposed is a mere 6-months. So, every 6-months the street team has to go around re-snapping all of these pictures — bingo, job security.

My question is, unless there is a major change such as a new building or road added, why take a picture if nothing has changed? So some guy with a completely blurred face has been on Street View for 12 months, what’s the big deal? Am I missing something?

(Google, are you hiring Street View drivers…?)

Pocket-Lint

[Image Source]

Going where no car dare: The Google Maps Street View Snowmobile.

Call the Google Street View team lazy all you want. I mean, they do ride around in a car all day snapping pictures of clueless humans and other random occurrences. But little did I even know that there is a more rugged and mobile Google Street View team. Evidence of such can be found with the Google Street View Snowmobile above.

When the nicely paved streets end, the mercury drops, and the snow starts a fallin’, the Google Street View team has even the rugged Yukon terrain covered. For your viewing entertainment, a short video of the Snowmobile that sees it all.

VentureBeat

Google one of the few companies that understands their user base. Opens Street View Trike ventures to us mortals.

There’s no doubt that Google Street View is largely one of the best map tools available in the world. With endless miles of real world pictures giving you an accurate of just about any particular area, one would think Google would call this one done. But don’t think they’re stopping where the pavement ends and the grass/mulch/squishy tire chunks begin. As much as the famed Google Street View car is spotted, it’s almost funny to sit back and realize how iconic that single site has become. As we can all imagine, that Street View car can’t fit everywhere. Ya know, there are laws and such that dictate what can drive where.

Since road mapping is so00 yesterday, coupled with the push for people to be more active (at least here in fatsville USA) by walking, why not map other things such as parks, trails, woods, etc? Google is three steps ahead of you with the Street View Trike. The coolest thing about the trike however is that Google is currently holding a poll on the Street View Trike’s homepage allowing the average citizen to suggest locations Google should map. The normal fanfare from “privacy experts” and fear mongers will deem this a threat to society while most of us with more common sense will see this for what it really is — helpful, informational, and cool.

Wrapping it up, the socially nominated King of mapping, Google maps is going forward and reaching out to their users in order to make them better. Gee what a thought. Asking those who fund your company for ideas. Hmmm…labels, music/video businesses are you listening and taking note?

TechCrunch

Google Bike: Taking the street crew to the worlds harder to reach destinations

There has been a recent phenomenon centering around Google Street View and the shocking and sometimes funny events being captured by Google’s Street View team. Do you think you would have fun driving endlessly around many different cities in the world in a small SUV with a giant 360 degree camera attached to the top of your car? I’m sure it would at times get boring. Sitting in a car for long hours is never a fun ordeal. Besides the fact of having to get over your claustrophobia and uneasiness after doing a marathon 24 hours G-marathon, Google’s now infamous Street View cars may not even be able to reach your destination. There are many places in the world with tight corridors and narrow streets where the typical American sized SUV simply won’t fit. Apparently Google is way ahead of us on this one. Introducing the Google Street View Bike. (More pics inside)

Sword: Check. Chest armor: Check. Dressing up like ancient warriors, role-playing in public and getting documented on Google Street View…PRICELESS!

My mother always said your imagination is the gateway to the world.  From the picture above you can see that these two individuals have a very big imagination.  Just remember kids that the next time you dress up like medieval warriors and role-play in your front yard that  you can be caught on Google Street View and published for all the world to see your ridiculous self.

*In reality, these two were staged as an “art project” attempting to blend the real and virtual worlds.  Right.*  It’s still funny though.  So the next time you’re in Pennsylvania and traveling down Samsonia Way, keep a lookout for the medieval duo.