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Google uses tiny cameras to capture adorable mini Street View
When you think of Google Street View, you'll probably get visions of the company's camera-mounted cars or its colossal Trekker backpacks. The search giant has sent them to some of the world's most picturesque locations, but for its latest Street View project, things have got a whole lot smaller. With help from a specially-modified model train and bus, Google has captured a 360-degree Street View map of Hamburg's Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest miniature railway.
Google Street View cameras zip through (and over) the Amazon
Google already has some odd ways of getting its Street View cameras into hard-to-reach places, but its latest effort might just take the cake. The search firm has posted panoramic imagery of the Amazon rainforest that, at some points, was taken by Trekker cameras ziplining through the canopy -- yes, you'll get a view that even locals won't usually see. There are some down-to-Earth sights, too, including snapshots from rivers and remote villages. Between this and recent collaborative mapping projects, you may end up learning a surprising amount about the Amazon without setting foot in South America.
Google partners with Jane Goodall to capture Tanzania's chimp heaven
Google has joined forces with the Jane Goodall Institute to bring Street Views of Gombe National Park and its numerous chimpanzees. Using portable Trekkers, Google's intrepid photogs captured thousands of 360-degree images in the jungles where Goodall first started her research. Some of the Institute's favorite highlights include a chimp called "Google" swinging on a vine (above), the slopes of Gombe, a group of chimpanzees fishing for termites and the interior of Jane's house. To head down the trails or up into the tree canopies yourself, hit the source -- there's a monkey around every corner.
Google's Trekker project brings beautiful Hawaii imagery to Street View
After launching Street View Trekker last year, Google is now starting to show us what we can expect from its loaner program. What you see above are some pictures from the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, which were taken by Google's first Trekker partner, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, and added to Street View as part of the company's imagery project. The search giant says there's a lot more where that came from too, including beaches, historical sites, hiking trails and parks. And with the summer right around the corner, this is a perfect opportunity to virtually explore The Islands of Aloha before booking your next vacation.
Street View update maps North America's biggest parks and monuments
Google's Street View may have already taken us on a virtual tour of some US national parks, but its total number of natural sites now sits at an impressive 44 US and Canadian locations. With permission from the US National Park Service and Parks Canada, the search giant's cars, trikes and backpack-worn Trekker units have mapped some of most picturesque and historical sites in North America, providing us with new 360-degree views of Mount Rushmore, the Alamo Mission in Texas and the crystal-clear lakes of Banff National Park, to name but a few. All of these different locations -- with multiple trails -- are online now and you can check them out by hitting the source below.
Google's Street View maps the watery roadways of Venice
Google's Street View has taken us all the way up (to the Burj Khalifa) and all the way down (to the Great Barrier Reef), so where else is there to go but the world's most romantic city? That's right, the search giant has taken its backpack-worn Trekker units to Venice, letting you explore its canals, tight streets and hundreds of connecting bridges from the comfort of your home or office. In its behind-the-scenes look, Google lets you see how the city has changed since 1838 with the help of a 175-year-old street map and explore locations that inspired famous works of art. If punting was never your thing, hit up Google Street View to begin your personal guided tour -- minus the unique odor.
Google's Street View tour of Gatwick Airport is its biggest European indoor map yet
If you're one of those people who wants to know exactly what to do and where to go when you get to an airport, Google's latest Street View update might come in handy. As part of its biggest European indoor mapping project so far, the search giant took its trolley units to Gatwick, the UK's second busiest airport. The resulting 2,000 images were stitched together to create a virtual representation of its North and South terminals, allowing you, and an estimated 34 million yearly passengers, to familiarize yourself with its maze of connected corridors and multitude of shops and restaurants. Hit up Google Street View to begin your not-so-personal guided tour, but bear in mind you won't make it onto the tarmac and any duty free deals that you spot in stores may no longer apply, because the footage was collected in June.
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.
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.
Google delivers Grand Canyon panoramas to less-than-patient 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.
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.
E3 2011: A look at Star Trek: Infinite Space
Engagieren! At this year's E3, German game developer Keen Games (under the production of Gameforge) brought us to warp speed and gave us a first look at the upcoming browser-based MMO Star Trek: Infinite Space. Powered by the Unity 3D engine, the latest game in the Trek franchise will be free-to-play by the end of 2011. The devs are calling it an "action-tactic" MMO, and it title will hopefully give players just what they have been asking for in a Trek MMO. Set in the Deep Space Nine timeline, the game allows players to create custom characters and immediately begin to pilot their own ships. Right from the beginning, a player can start as either a Starfleet or a Klingon officer. To our surprise, the game's development is being fully supervised by Mike and Denise Okuda, Star Trek experts who have been involved in the franchise's many movies and television shows. Star Trek: Infinite Space is currently in closed beta but has a cinematic trailer that is sure to give any Trekker or Trekkie goosebumps. Check it out after the break! Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered! %Gallery-125755%
Captain's Log: The advisory council and fan service in Star Trek Online
Hard to port! Disruptors on full! Fire the tachyon beam! Oh, hello again. Welcome back to Captain's Log, Massively's weekly -- y'know what, hang on. These Cardassians are being a real pain in the toukas. Yes, Ensign, some torpedoes would be fabulous right about now. And you wonder why I haven't promoted you. Sorry about that. This is Captain's Log, where I administer your weekly dose of Star Trek Online news, analysis and meaningless conjecture every Thursday. At least until the Massively overlords relegate me to the spice mines of Kessel. Oh, wait... After discussing Season One and the joy of Fleet Actions, I have two items on this week's agenda. First, I thought I'd introduce myself! It's silly to read the Captain's Log without knowing who the captain is, right? After that I'll discuss STO's hot topic du jour, the Advisory Council, and whether fan service will kill or save Cryptic's spacefaring MMO.
STO fan video depicts the way of the warrior
We know almost nothing about Star Trek Online's ground combat. We haven't even seen any screenshots of it yet. However, we do know that Star Trek fans are a passionate bunch. In this case, they were passionate enough to make their very own concept video of what Star Trek Online's ground combat might look like.It's pretty amusing, and if you're a fan it will probably make you even more anxious to finally learn what the combat really looks like. It also ought to make you a bit nostalgic about how awesome Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "The Way of the Warrior" episode was. Hardcore Trekkies (or Trekkers) will surely get a kick out of the fact that the combat text for Klingons is actually in Klingon. To the zealous fan(s) who made this video, we say "qapla'!"
