British canal boaters, welcome to Google Street View

In the same way that you can't really call The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy a trilogy any more, Google's once again stretching the definition of a street. The company has loaned out one of its backpack-worn trekker units to the UK's Canal and River trust, which will document 100 miles of the country's waterways for Street View. Users will be able to tour London's Regent's Canal, the Bingley Five Rise and the Stoke Brueme blacksmiths on the Grand Union Canal. Just remember folks, even if you're touring from the comfort of your laptop, it's not a proper rambling holiday unless you bring a packed lunch and a flask of weak lemon drink.

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Via: Pocket-lint, TechRadar

Source: UK Canal & River Trust

Google to loan Street View Trekker to third parties, build out Maps on the cheap

Google to loan Street View Trekker to third parties, build out Maps on the cheap

Are you a tourism board, non-profit, government agency, university or research organization? Google wants you to help add 360-degree imagery with its nifty Street View Trekker, through a brand-new loan program. If you get the nod from GOOG, you'll have a chance to roam the Earth with the company's human-mounted camera equipment. The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau was tapped as the first volunteer -- the group is currently hard at work shooting popular attractions throughout the 50th state. Though the terms aren't entirely clear, we're willing to bet that Google's giving preference to bonafide orgs, rather than sending its pricey gear off with individuals. Still, if you've been dying to contribute to Maps, it never hurts to apply. To get started, just fill out the form at the source link below. Oh, and as you've probably already guessed, there's a 60-second video after the break, too.

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Source: Google, Apply Here

Google Trekker to put the Galapagos Islands on Street View, one tortoise at a time

Google Street View Trekker charts the Galapagos Islands, one tortoise at a time

Google's Street View Trekker has already captured some dramatic scenery in its young life, but we haven't seen it venture far beyond US borders. The company is making up for that in style through its recently completed image-gathering expedition to the Galapagos Islands. The visit will produce 360-degree shots of 10 representative areas chosen by the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Parks Directorate. There's more involved than just stunning Google Maps imagery, however: the panoramas will help document any threats to the local climate and wildlife. While we'll only see the results of the Galapagos trip later this year, it's good to know that they should help both humans and slow-moving reptiles in equal measure.

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Source: Google Official Blog

Google delivers Grand Canyon panoramas to less-than-patient tourists

Google delivers Grand Canyon panoramas for lessthanpatient tourists

Google must take as long to sift through vacation photos as everyone else. A few months after it sent its Trekker cameras to sweep the Grand Canyon, the resulting panoramas are at last showing on Google Maps. The expansion gives us 360-degree views from paths spanning roughly 75 miles, including tougher routes like the South Kaibab Trail. The views won't fully convey the majesty of standing on the canyon's edge, but they're quicker than booking a hiking expedition in Arizona -- and certainly easier on the legs.

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Via: Google Official Blog

Source: Google Maps

Google Trekker goes to the Grand Canyon, takes Street View souvenirs back home

Google Trekker goes to the Grand Canyon, takes Street View souvenirs back home

You might remember Google's unveiling this spring of the Street View Trekker, a seeming cross between a backpack and Van de Graaff generator that lets the mapping team produce 360-degree imagery where even trikes dare not tread. The portable camera ball is just going on its first trip, and Google has chosen the most natural destination for a novice tourist -- the Grand Canyon, of course. Staffers with Trekkers are currently walking trails along the South Rim of the canyon to provide both eye-level points of reference for wayward hikers as well as some breathtaking, controllable panoramas for those who can't (or won't) make it to Arizona. Once the photos make it to Street View sometime in the undefined near future, it'll be that much easier to turn down Aunt Matilda's 3-hour vacation slideshow.

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Google Trekker goes to the Grand Canyon, takes Street View souvenirs back home originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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