Google Maps has long proven a useful way to spy on neighbours and check out the house you lived in when you were a child but it has seemingly taken its remit to a whole new level. As well as being able to view the fronts of buildings, you can now take a virtual tour inside high street shops and public buildings. Have you ever wondered whether a particular store sells those double choc hip cookies you like? Google Maps has the answer.
Available in the UK
According to Google, representatives are operating within 37 major cities across the world, which includes the UK you’ll be glad to hear, taking footage from inside the store so that would be shoppers can see what you have to offer before they even arrive.
Request Google to come to your business
You can even request that Google come to your business and take photos or, via Google Places, you can log in and upload your own pictures. If your shop or business has been lucky enough to have photos taken then you will also be able to log in to Google Places to remove pictures and perform a range of other activities.
The service is currently called Business Photos. We don’t think it will be long before some clever marketer or business owner gets the API and turns their virtual store tour into a truly virtual shopping experience. Shoppers will be able to pick up items from the shelves without being anywhere near the shop itself. Very Second Life.
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