Google Local Incorporates Satellite Maps

[Chicago]

The first Keyhole integration into G Local.

[globay]

This is just an amazing feature! Incredible.

Yahoo! Maps team: you better catch up, or soon Google is going to roll over you

[bakedjake]

So, what are people using satellite maps for? Seems about as useful as "walk the block with pictures".

[werty]

I agree, unless they somehow place an overlay of streetnames they are worthless.

[digitalghost]

Totally worthless to me. "38477" Shows some nice greenery, and that's about it. Oh wait, there are a few building clusters... Zoom shows me a nice grey, sorry, yer outta luck" screen.

Buzz seems the only benefit. Anyone found a real use for this tech yet?

[MoneyMan]

I'm assuming that the beta G maps is based around Keyhole technology and this was just a throw in for the wow factor.

I did hear some rumblings on the news about people raising privacy concerns with this feature citing Keyhole's previous interaction with the CIA. That seemed a bit over the top to me, but it all contributes to the buzz.

[GameMasterM]

Value to me. Planning a trip to Florida and I can see the proximity to the beach and local attractions by "flying over" the area in advance. I found out the hotel I originally booked requires more walking than I intended to do. I like the satelite photo integration. It came along just as I was beginning to marginalize Google as my main search resource.

I suspect too Google will someday allow users to swoop closer and switch views for a full picture of establishments along the lines of A9s product.

[AAnnAArchy]

It's kind of weak compared to my county assessor's creepy close satellite pictures.