Google’s Satellite Imagery: What We`re Looking for?
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It's hard to argue with the sheer coolness of Google's satellite imagery feature. But some advocates say it raises privacy concerns, while analysts point out that many Web surfers already consult other sites for driving directions. Just where does this new feature fit in, and how will it be used?
Google purchased digital map maker Keyhole about six months ago for an undisclosed sum. That purchase bore fruit recently when Google unveiled a new feature available through Google Maps. Those searching for an address in the United States or Canada can now connect with a map or, by clicking on the “Satellite” option, an actual satellite image of the location. Users can drag the image, zoom in or out, and even overlay driving directions. Best of all, the service is free.
It’s not perfect, though, or at least not yet. Right now it’s limited to North America. Keyhole’s general manager John Hanke says that their images cover roughly half the United States. In addition, they’re not always as up to date as some searchers might wish. The most recent images might be two or three months old, but some images might be up to three years old. For many areas, this is not a big deal. On the other hand, those searching for images of places with lots of construction going on (such as Florida) should certainly pay heed to that old cliché which states, “The map is not the territory.”
Some people have raised privacy concerns about Google’s new feature. It can be a little unnerving to see an aerial view of your home, up close and personal – and available to anyone who knows your address and cares to type it into Google. Keyhole’s origins provide no comfort for the paranoid in that department either. It was founded in 2001, and when it needed some money in 2003, it naturally went to a venture capital firm – in this case, In-Q-Tel. If the name sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because In-Q-Tel is itself backed by a well-known organization: the Central Intelligence Agency. As you might expect for a company indirectly backed by a government agency, a number of its 10,000 clients were also government agencies.
Would people really use these images for stalking, spy games, or other nefarious purposes? Or is this technology much better suited for the uses Google envisions, which include checking out how close their vacation hotel is to beaches, getting a feel for the neighborhood around a house or an apartment they might like to rent, and being able to make out local landmarks more clearly for driving and navigation purposes? One of the best ways to find out is by actually putting the feature to the test.
Next: Zooming in on Google’s Satellite Maps >>
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