Friday, May 15, 2009

Google Streets

One of the tools people like me use when we want to see the vanished city is Google Maps' "Street View." As today's New York changes at lightspeed, Google inevitably falls behind. Until they catch up, we can still find buildings that have since fallen, businesses that once were, empty lots that are now condos. EV Grieve illustrated this beautifully in a post just yesterday.

But Google being Google, it's always working to catch up and soon those images will vanish, too, replaced by the new.



Earlier this week, I spotted the Google cam car in Chelsea, one of the fastest changing parts of town. If you ever wondered how they do it, here it is. The device holds 9 cameras, all looking in different directions, including straight up at the clouds--for reasons only Google knows. The driver just drives while the cameras do the work, always watching, never blinking.



Right now, those images of the lost city are vanishing, wiped out by this roving eye in the sky, replaced by the new blocks with their condos, brasseries, and boutiques. Enjoy them while they last.

Meanwhile, driving the Google cam car is not a bad gig. His next stop? Dubai.
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6 comments:

  1. EV GrieveMay 15, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    I've never seen this... I was curious what kind of get-up Google used... tough to pull that into a drive-through window...

    I hope you flashed them!

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  2. Alex in NYCMay 15, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Wow. Excellent work, Jeremiah!

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  3. Bowery BoogieMay 15, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    that's awesome! i always wondered how they got their images. still waiting for the higher-res pictures.

    vanishing on all fronts..

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  4. AnonymousMay 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    It's good that Google Streetview updates, but it would also be great if there were enough space/money to save the older incarnations. Then you could choose to check out your are of interest via space and time. Could be incredibly helpful in years to come.

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  5. AnonymousMay 15, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    fascinating! and surprisingly low tech in a way. BN

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  6. DanMay 15, 2009 at 11:26 PM

    I have a feeling that within a few years Google Earth will have an "archive" function, when you'll be able to see any street/ corner from 2006- present. Just wait. These guys are smart.

    ReplyDelete

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