Bing Maps recently introduced “Street Side” photography in the US, to match Google’s Street View. But Bing Street Side doesn’t yet exist in Europe. However, Amsterdam-based directory publisher De Telefoongids offers street-level photography (with store interiors) and in France Pages Jaunes has had store-front photography for many years.
Now in the UK directory publisher Yell has introduced aerial 3D photography and street-level imagery (called “Streetcam”). Right now it exists in four UK cities: London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds. Here are some screen shots:
Each directory listing includes a link to take users directly to aerial 3D images and the street-level view of the business:
With Streetcam, users can “walk down the street” just as you do on Google Maps Street View by double-clicking the cursor. And in some ways it’s easier to navigate than Street View.
Overall it’s an impressive, very user-friendly experience.
Related Topics: Google: Maps & Local | Search Engines: Maps & Local Search Engines
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Thank you!
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As a user, I’m deeply impressed by this latest release from Yell – from the simplified (and much more useful/relevant) homepage, to the search, to the content, to the excellent maps. I think they have raised their game substantially. I can now see myself starting my ‘local searches’ on Yell rather than Google.
Regarding store-front photography – we have been supplying photos to Yell in the UK for years – they have hundreds of thousands of photos of store-fronts on their site.