Unless you have been living in a bubble for the last few weeks, you will be aware that on the 20th of March, the mighty Google launched a new application to complement the existing Maps service, called Street View. On the day after its launch, Google Maps UK was receiving one in every 250 UK internet visits as people rushed to see if their houses and workplaces had been included.
The launch of this feature which provides 360 degree horizontal and 290 degree vertical panoramic views of streets in specific cities in the UK, has caused much uproar amongst those 'caught on camera' so to speak. These include a husband whose car was spotted outside his wife’s friend’s house and an office worker smoking alongside a no-smoking sign.
Google has received some complaints from householders demanding to have their homes removed from view as they insist it could benefit would-be burglars. Google insists that it does protect people’s privacy by blurring car number plates and faces of those included.
On the flip side, some people were disappointed that their homes hadn't been included and are awaiting eagerly for the second phase of filming to be complete to see if their towns or cities have been added to the project.
Whatever the view, it is indeed a fascinating example of technology, one that had our office fixated on for some time on the launch day. And one of our staff even spotted a C2 Software director, standing outside of our office which caused much amusement.
