Google's Street View tool is more layered and comprehensive than
you might think. While you may be familiar with the orange peg man at
the side of Google Maps, there's a lot more different modes and options
available once you enter the 360-degree panoramic world of Street View.
Explore and discover like a pro with some Street View tips.
Navigate in Street View
You don't have to zoom back out of Street View every time you want
to take a look at a new location because it's possible to move around
within Street View itself. Click the forward and backward arrows beneath
your virtual feet, or double-click on a spot in the distance to zoom
straight there. Use the compass to turn yourself around. You can also
click and drag the peg man using the mini map.
Check Local Addresses and Places
Google Street View enables you to check the address of your current
location via the overlay box in the top left corner. In some cases you
may also see the name of the road you're currently traveling on beneath
your feet. Local places, including venues, bus stops and businesses,
appear in the Street View window just as they would in Google Maps.
Click on any of these points of interest to see more details about them
without leaving the Street View screen.
See Nearby Photos
In the Street View interface is a drop-down menu listing labels and
photos. Labels are the points of interest on the local map, such as
businesses and restaurants. Select "Photos" and you can see
user-submitted pictures from the local area. These photos may not all be
from the exact position you're currently standing at, but they will be
in many cases, particularly if you're visiting a famous landmark or
tourist spot. Click the cross to return to the original Street View
pane.
Leave the Street
Google's Street View service now extends far beyond streets,
covering footpaths, ski runs and railways too, as well as the interiors
of well-known landmarks. Load the Street View portal (link in
References) to see a selection of panoramic images from Antarctica, the
Great Barrier Reef, the Palace and Park of Versailles and many more
areas. Third-party tools are also available, including Globe Genie, that
can drop you at a random point in Street View anywhere in the world.
