Mapperz - The Map & GIS News finding blog. With so many Mapping sites online. This blog tries to provide you with the best maps and services that are currently available online.
@mapperz
MapJack MapJack is designed to provide good looking pictures from cities all over the world, and to get the "immersive" feeling of actually being there. MapJack feature three main functions. Displays immersive panorama pictures. Map the current location in both the panoramic pictures and showing directions. The search function, find street addresses and local businesses MapJack Coverage: San Francisco, USA Chiang Mai, Thailand Coming Soon are: Lake Tahoe Yosemite National Park Pacifica Palo Alto San Jose Las Vegas
Here is a Video showing the functionality of MapJack in Thailand.
Full Help http://www.mapjack.com/Help.html Unlike the Google Maps StreetView you can do the following in MapJack Brightness Sharpness Preload pictures Show visual aids (compass,loading wheel, address information, movement and zoom buttons on screen.) Show blue dots (MapJack Coverage) Show grid (texture and projection mapping the picture.) Quality - you can increase or decrease the Quality of the panoramic image.
Top Tip Click and hold the radar beam near the 'Jack' (Icon) and panorama picture shows what Jack can currently see. The 'radar' beam coming out from under Jack is an indication of what direction Jack is looking, and how wide he can see.
Privacy and legal issues. MapJack panoramas are all captured on public property with the intention to show a city and it's features. If you feel that a picture contains unproper exposure use the Feedback Form.
Google StreetView Google StreetView released on May 29th, 2007 with a few cities in the US, now covering more cities in the US. 32 cities in fact
We are now watching you Google.
Google Maps API StreetView New! (good timing) A very recent development (today 12/03/2008) has been the found but Mike Williams. Version 2.103 of the Google Maps API has had StreetView functionality added.
This is NOT official so not supported (as yet). Mike Williams has a few *temporary links* in which users can view this.
In this case, it's unfair to say either is a clear winner, Mapperz prefers MapJack's 'User Interface' has more functions more interaction on the surroundings, while the might of Google tries to map and photograph every square inch of every US City (and told not to in places) they do have more coverage.
But MapJack wins on being the first location outside of the US (Chiang Mia, Thailand). Well done. No UK yet but maybe in the near future (?) So a draw? Well I think there is a learning curve for both - seeing both developments is innvotation in itself, hopefully they can learn from each others methods and visualisation. Comments welcome on this.
Future of Streetview. Privacy and security is the big issue. Some Countries even neighbours of the US are aware of there own privacy laws (Canada) Coverage need to be complied with. This will be a big presence in the coming months and years, rumours and sightings of cars with 360 degree cameras on them are abundant. Even London
Another very good application that works on similar lines to Google Maps StreetView but it goes further - into plazas, squares and shops. using the 'You drive' you can control your destination either click on the map (inside the polygon zone) or use the 'Go' icons on the EveryScape viewer.
"EveryScape is the only place you can discover your everyday world, your way. Today, you can check out Union Square, San Francisco as the first city to be scaped. You can check out restaurants, hotels, go shopping, drive by homes. You can see what other people are saying and share your comments as you stroll down the street. Click on the link to the right to vote for the next CityScape — it could be yours."
