Google Business Photos Brings Street View Inside

TechCrunch reports that Marissa Mayer, Google VP of Location and Local Services, told a crowd at the Social Loco social networking conference that Google Business Photos will soon be bringing Street View indoors. With the new service, users will be able to explore restaurants, stores and other businesses in a panorama interface that's very similar to Google's Street View. While sites like Yelp let businesses and users upload photos, Google Business Photos is relying on its own photographers to populate the pages, and Google requires businesses to opt in before letting photographers visit businesses. Think of the photographers like flesh and blood Googlemobiles.

As an extension of Google Places, Google Business Photos will launch soon in the U.S., Japan, Australia and New Zealand and get integration with Google Maps. For now, interested businesses will need to apply directly with Google to participate here, and Google's photographers will drop by for a 360-degree photo shoot.

And the best way to calm any lingering privacy worries? An overly cute, two minute and 17 second stop-motion animated video that seems to go on forever. Seriously, though, Google says that only businesses that give their permission will be involved with the program, and Google will blur out faces like in Street View. Check out the full list of cities open to the program and a more in-depth FAQ here, and view the teaser video below:

WATCH:

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Comments

[justasimpleguy]

01:38 AM on 05/09/2011

It has been around for a while... Check out Flute (in gramercy park) or Jakes Dilemma (upper west side) on google maps. There are places all over NYC that have photo's by google. There were articles about this in February 2010 http://gizmodo.com/#!5464532/google-wants-to-add-store-interiors-to-maps

[hazbro24]

04:52 PM on 05/07/2011

Seems like a good marketing tool for small businesses to employ. Creating a virtual tour for customers costs money--and if google will do it for free because they can make money being the portal that people use to take the tours then it's a win win.

Where's the privacy concern? If I had a retail business I'd be signing up now.

[DonMadrid1500]

10:51 AM on 05/07/2011

Google Proctology?

[doctordoubt]

12:46 PM on 05/08/2011

Only if they enter from the rear

[Aries Warrior]

10:33 AM on 05/07/2011

Google toilets are next.....

[byronic]

09:29 AM on 05/07/2011

Google is evil.

[ceez]

09:28 AM on 05/07/2011

What will google not think about. Funny how sometimes I've though what a new restaurant I'm thinking about going to might look like.... Them here comes google.
But at first before reading the article I thought they had invented some xray camera that would go taking pics on business districts.... I guess I let my imagination get away from me for a second.

[The Milano Group]

08:53 AM on 05/07/2011

Job creation for photographers :)

[firstep]

08:47 AM on 05/07/2011

And the TSA has cameras that look through your clothes.

[RichieB]

07:21 AM on 05/07/2011

It's another winner for Google. It's all voluntary so I don't see any problem with it. Businesses will want to use it because it gives them exposure, kind of like the yellow pages. Once it gets rolling establishments will feel the need to use it to keep up with their competitors.

[czs5056]

06:58 AM on 05/07/2011

As long as we can see in the women's locker room we'll be happy

[Conscious Objector]

03:59 AM on 05/07/2011

As long as it's voluntary, I say why not?

[Aries Warrior]

10:34 AM on 05/07/2011

are you naive ?

The gubmint will use this against you and never tell you...

[Conscious Objector]

08:25 PM on 05/09/2011

I'm quacking in my boots because of all the evil things they can with the photos of restaurants...

[KiTTGT]

03:01 AM on 05/07/2011

Skynet...

[rightsize2005]

02:47 AM on 05/07/2011

Enough already, technology was meant to improve our lives, not make them a living hell!

[edgeninja]

02:05 AM on 05/07/2011

Damn. The headline misled me into thinking we'd finally invented x-ray vision.

[Peace Walker]

02:01 AM on 05/07/2011

Businesses may give their permission, but what if the individuals within them do not? This needs to be shut down now!

[Dave Harrison]

10:49 AM on 05/07/2011

Reading the article is essential to comprehension, From the article....
Google will blur out faces like in Street View.