Google Places' camera exposed in the convenience store wilds
By Thomas Ricker 
posted June 24th 2010 7:41AM
posted June 24th 2010 7:41AM
That right there friends, is a real life Google employee and his trusty camera capturing the internals of a fine New York City bodega. It's all part of a pilot launched back in April to photograph the insides of businesses for Google Places. The idea here is that by seeing the actual facilities, merchandise, layout, and decor Google can help consumers make a better decision about which businesses might best suit their particular needs. First our WiFi data and now the fetid bowels of our snack shops... oh Google, is there no data left that's sacred?
And soon we'll have this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPgV6-gnQaE&feature=fvw
@RDM This is actually a good idea and it might make people even more interested if they see your places looks good, clean, and tidy. Plus I am sure Google has to have the owners permission first anyway.
@RDM
I like that one, it's german but with English subtitles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYMGkQTpODY
@RDM Thanks for that link :) I never seen these guys. Lots of funny google related videos :)
@RDM
Ohh, I can't wait for Google to try to bring this to Europe. Politicians and privacy rights groups will go nuts. lol
@RDM It will be like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35LqQPKylEA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgFgYjWFH0Y
@SeeKo
Google photographers aren't storming businesses and taking photos. These shoots are by request only.
http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/annc/20100420_googleplaces.html
http://maps.google.com/help/maps/businessphotos/
they make it easy incase you want to rob a business
knowing the layout might help your get away
@RDM i love that youtube series!
@RDM Thank you, kind Engadget commenter, for pointing me to a new Youtube subscription.
+1
I can feel the lawsuits coming.
@ashwinkn why? A small place like that I'm sure they have the owners ok...
@ashwinkn
I read about this when it first started, the owners have to ask Google to do their store, do they definitely have permission.
@ashwinkn They better not only have the owners permission, but I want permission if they are going to be photographing me.
Its no big deal when a random schmo is taking pictures for personal consumption, but when you are selling a product or broadcasting my image to tens of millions, my consent should be required.
This is a neat idea, I totally approve. Being able to see inside a store before going there could be helpful.
Though, I have no problem with Google invading and taking over, I'd gladly bow down to my Android overlords :D
Google Toilet: now THAT would be helpful.
Bing Maps is already doing this with an app. Sorry Google, try again.
@mackenziepricee
Google did search before Bing came along so they're even :).
@JamesR MSN was released at pretty much the same time as Google.
Case invalid.
@mackenziepricee
yea i was gonna say bing maps with photosynth does this
@mackenziepricee
Google did maps before Bing even existed (exast?)
@Alex R And only 7 months later Microsoft was doing MSN Virtual Earth.
@kid300 Just admit androids ugly
Not only Photosynth but an app called EveryScape Eats! for Bing shows you inside of resturants.
@mackenziepricee
Doesn't mean it's a good move...
The owners agreeing to participate are either overconfident in their security or must have nothing worth stealing because all they're doing is helping crooks case their establishments.
@mackenziepricee Sounds like Bing can do everything!
Except provide accurate and relevant search results...
@bobloblaw Do not worry. Bing also has a search engine for your needs.
http://explicit.bing.net/
@mackenziepricee Don't forget to mention that EveryScape Eats! has panoramas of the restaurants, not just photos!
@youngjediboy - Doesn't matter who did what first, all that matters is who does what BEST.
@mackenziepricee
Yea.. but if you seriously used MSN search rather than Google at launch, then your just stupid.
Being in that photo he takes=Internet stardom! :D
I see where this is going...
Google "poptarts" and you will get local images of poptarts in certain stores and the isle number and maybe even the price....could be very useful if kept up to date...
lol, i really hope he asked before he did what he did, also do you really care about what convenience store you go to? as long as its the closest. the reason in NYC you go to different stores for example flower shops is because they don't have a particular flower you want (cause its out of stock), so you go somewhere else, something like that this will be absolutely useless.
Yes, Google, feel free to visit my home and take some photographs any time!
As long as the store manager or owner approve to take the photo, wat's the big deal. I don't want to b personal, but just for fun, check the post history of Thomas Ricker and u will see a bunch of anti-google stuffs.
A bit of a waste. I mean, yeah, the general layout will likely stay the same but the content inside stores (the one in the picture especially) will definitely change often.
Sounds good. I think it'll be useful.
It may not be terribly useful for seeing what the content of the store is, but I still think it would be nice to see what the inside of a store or restaurant is like before I go there. This + Street View lets me get a good look at the place before I even go there. Call me superficial, but if the place looks crappy (inside or out), I'm usually less inclined to shop/eat there.
Nice Shoes
Sure it's useful for knowing what kind of store u are heading to but doesn't it help thieves identify easy targets by seeing the inside .
Can't wait for them to start taking pictures of the insides of jewelry stores, banks, etc. No more old-school going and scoping out joints to rob. Just google it!
Creative idea! This is totally awesome if you live in a big city. I all ready find myself exploring areas with google maps street view... and this totally blows my mind. Bring it on!!!
They have been doing this pilot in Washington DC too, the Google Maps/Google Places team actually held it as an event at the venue; it was a special happy hour! On June 2nd, they came into Science Club in downtown DC and snapped away on the special tri-pod and handheld camera; even taking pictures of the DJ!! See pics:
google places set up at science club:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/limitproof/4729576761/
google places taking photos of the DJ:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/limitproof/4729576525/
I'm sure that Google has something awesome in mind :) GOOGLE ROCKS!
@ufinc
This was... ironic?
@b00giZm
No it wasn't. Google acutally makes great products!
And I'm personally sick of people who say that Google is bad, because they have read that stupid book "1984" or watched too many crappy conspiracy videos on Youtube. Get real, guys!
The desktop explorer in me likes this.
what's next? maybe Google "Logs" to catalogue peoples poops? quality assurance for the food they're now photographing...
@oakie
Google Logs: Photographing the inside of toilets so that consumers can make a better decision about which toilets might best suit their particular needs.
Don't worry, the next target for Goggle is your Endoscope recordings made by your doctor. Google has it all covered for anyone who wants to know anything about you.
Remember: The DATA Thief is your friend!
Hah Google boobs now. Every strip club pops up LOL