Google Street level viewing is now available in Toronto and it is relatively easy to use.
Last summer the google crew were in Toronto taking street level photos. Now you can access them on Google maps. All you have to do is search for the address on google maps, zoom all the way in then click on the little man in the upper left hand corner of the map.
As a teenager I lived for some time with my grandmother in Toronto at 31 Simpson Ave so I tried it out and after a few minutes of orientating my self here is the result. You can send the link by email or add it to a web site
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Kathy Clulow Sales Representative RE/MAX All-Stars Realty Inc.. Brokerage 905.852.6143
Each office independently owned and operated Not intended to solicit clients already under contract
Its pretty cool technology. I spent hours on it when it first came out in limited cities and then today I spend half an hour in Vancouver and in Calgary.
Robert - it would appear that I have to learn just a little more as the map view is not showing. It shows in Firefox but not IE 8
Although the technology is pretty cool, I think Google needs a slap. Far too many people were 'caught' unaware, and I'm sure some of them would rather not show up all over the world - something no one signed up for, or gave permission for Google to do. I hope they at least don't show children. If it's illegal for us to photograph children, it should be illegal for google to show children where they live.
Sylvie - there is some concern over privacy issues but this has been available in the US for some time now. I have not spent a lot of time but when I first tried it it was downtown and what was there when the picture was taken is there now people and all
Sylvie - I've gone back and played some more and it would appear that the faces go blurry when you zoom in but there are children in the pictures. In one caes I zoomed in to see the face of a driver in a vehicle and it was fairly clear so perhaps it only blurs when zooming from a distance.
simply amazin Kathy - I feel like I'm right across the street looking out a window from a neighboring home!
thanks for sahring - i heard about this release on twitter lol - but your post gave it reality !
Sincerely,
Grace
Kathy,
Good information, I will try this out right away.
Brian
Kathy I had to try it today after reading the Star. Luckily my grass was cut and the car was clean ;) There is a jogger coming up the street doing quite well. I think they are supposed to blur the faces and license plates. It would have been nice to know when they were supposed to be in an area for those who feel invaded.
Grace - it was a little weird to zoom in on a car and actually see the driver as if I was driving by the other way.
Brian - I am on the fence about this application ... I can see the benifit for a client to take a virtual tour of the area where they wish to look for a home, especially for an out of town client ... but as sylvie pointed out there are some concerns about privacy ... it is one thing for us to use multiple interior and exterior shots of a home for sale with the sellers consent ... it's something else to see your home displayed on the web with out you knowing about it.
Janice - I hear you ... part of the reason I am on the fence about this application
Kathy - This is some great technology and I will have to try it!
Robert - a link just for you
Kathy - The street view is cool. I used that when looking up a house and see the neighbourhood before I decide to drive over there.