Google Shows “Helicopter View” Of Routing On Maps

Google will now allow you to take a virtual aerial trip in Google Maps/Earth along a contemplated route. They’ve informally called it “helicopter view.” It’s a pretty cool feature, although perhaps not as “useful” as traffic information. You plot a route (“Get Directions”) between two points and click a button and the animation takes over. […]

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Google will now allow you to take a virtual aerial trip in Google Maps/Earth along a contemplated route. They’ve informally called it “helicopter view.” It’s a pretty cool feature, although perhaps not as “useful” as traffic information.

You plot a route (“Get Directions”) between two points and click a button and the animation takes over. Here are some shots from a San Francisco to Los Angeles driving trip I laid out:

Screen Shot 2011 09 30 At 1.08.30 PM

Screen Shot 2011 09 30 At 1.09.55 PM

Screen Shot 2011 09 30 At 1.11.57 PM

After you’ve picked two points, you initiate the “helicopter tour” by clicking a “3D” button adjacent to the routing information.

Screen Shot 2011 09 30 At 1.16.34 PM

This also works in Europe: Barcelona to Paris and Paris to Prague were two additional routes I also plotted.


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About the author

Greg Sterling
Contributor
Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land, a member of the programming team for SMX events and the VP, Market Insights at Uberall.

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