Google Maps just got an upgrade. Instead of just graphical representations of streets, you get actual satellite photography! For the most part, it’s pretty damn good, but most of Lower Manhattan and Western/Lower Midtown is in really deep shadow. You can also tell that the south-western corner of Central Park was photographed during the spring while the rest was in the fall. It also seems to have trouble with places out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere (like western PA). Otherwise, I’ve spot-checked a few major (and minor) cities and they look pretty damn good.
[quote author=“Drachen”]It also seems to have trouble with places out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere
I have one finger for you right now…guess which one
Michigan:
New Jersey:
Funny thing is my address in NJ is wrong, it points to the wrong house. My house is on the right of the arrow (circular driveway). Since it’s a catty-corner technically the house is on two streets, but our house # and street point to the middle of the next road. I used the other street (not my address) to get it to point semi-correct.
[quote author=“tifosiv122”]I have one finger for you right now…guess which one
We’re both from the NY metro area, so I don’t think I need to think too hard about it. :wink: I can find no real rhyme or reason to which cities get good data and which get the survellence shaft. Dodge City, KS where I was born (pop 25k) has data, but Mason City, IA where one of my cousins lives (pop 30k) has none.
[quote author=“Rahul”]wow that satellite thing is so cool. any idea how often they get new shots?
Good question. I’ve heard every 6 to 18 months, but from what I understand, this data is from 2003. 425 5th Ave still has the scaffold on the east side, so 2003 sounds about right. One person even complained that a school completed in 2000 was shown still being under construction.
I also noticed one eerie thing…It doesn’t get the cities right! Like for me I live in Jamaica, NY and it shows me as living in New York, NY even though I typed the entire address. Then my uncle lives in Baldwin, NY it shows him as living in Hempstead, NY :?
However, one thing is for sure…I’m never using yahoo maps again (unless they come up with something better)...this thing rocks!
[quote author=“Drachen”]You mean Jamaica, Queens? Last time I checked, Queens was a borough of New York…
yup Jamaica, Queens. I don’t know about this borough thing but I guess it’s happening since it’s in the beta stage.
[quote author=“gr00vy0ne”]Yeah, in all of my addresses it’s more or less close but it always seems to be pointing to the wrong house. It’s off by a few. Still, it’s damn neat!
3 of the 4 addresses I tried the same happened. My uncle’s house in Baldwin, it was off by 2 houses. My bro’s house in Texas, it showed him to be living on the street and my earlier house in NJ, it showed me to be living on the periphery of a parking lot very close to the house.
[quote author=“Rahul”]yup Jamaica, Queens. I don’t know about this borough thing but I guess it’s happening since it’s in the beta stage.
Nope, that’s right. While most people call Manhattan “The City” here, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island (reluctantly) are all part of NYC. Queens more than most areas in NYC has retained a lot of its regional identity, but places like Jamaica, Astoria and Flushing are just neighborhoods within Queens, even though people put it on their mailing addresses instead of “New York”. Wikipedia has a good overview of the boroughs . Makes riding the subway easier. :wink:
you know those satellites can see the time on your watch standing in front of your house. I wonder can they see through our roofs…hmmmm. I doubt it but a freaky thought.
