Learn how to use Street View on Google Maps to explore the world, from museums and stadiums to restaurants and other tourist attractions. This handy guide will help you understand what Street View is and how to use it.
Here are the key details about Street View, which is accessible on Google Maps via the website and the Android and iPhone apps.
What is StreetView?
Google Street View is a fascinating feature that allows you to explore locations around the world through 360-degree panoramic imagery virtually.
But did you know it all started with a simple idea from Google’s co-founder Larry Page in 2004?
He wondered, “What if we could create a map of the entire world using 360-degree views?”
From that initial thought, Google is on an ambitious project to capture comprehensive street-level imagery globally. Street View was first launched to the public in 2007, covering just five U.S. cities. But over time, Google has continuously expanded Street View to millions of panoramic photos spanning countless places worldwide, including some very remote and challenging environments.
Street View provides an incredibly useful way to virtually visit landmarks, check out local businesses, tour natural wonders, and more through immersive 360-degree photos. Google obtains this Street View imagery in two main ways – via special camera-equipped vehicles driving around cities as well as user-submitted photos from volunteers around the globe.
In addition to the iconic Google Street View cars, the company has gotten creative with other methods of capturing 360 photos in unique locations. This includes using trikes to access narrow paths, snowmobiles for mountainous areas, underwater cameras to map the ocean floors, and even camels to photograph desert landscapes!
By combining all these crowdsourced and vehicle-captured 360 images, Google weaves together an incredibly rich virtual experience that anyone can explore right from Google Maps. It’s an astounding culmination of that original vision to map the world in 360 degrees.
How to use StreetView
Google Maps is your gateway to accessing Street View, and you can enhance your experience by integrating it with Google Earth for even more exciting features.
- With Maps open, choose a location you want to use Street View to explore;
- By tapping landmarks on the map, you can see information and find images at the bottom of the screen;
- On the left side, you can see the Street View icon, Drop that on the location you wish to view;
- Rotate the screen, using your fingers, to observe the surroundings;
- Tap the icon in the lower right corner to see the map;
- Tap any blue line you want to go to to move through Street View.
