AmandaMaps

We like this idea too! We’ve actually experimented a bit with this on Google.com search - try searching ‘east village nyc’ on Google.com. It doesn’t work for all queries, but we’re always working on improvements.

Actually, if you zoom in a little more, I think there’s a small island there! We actually have some great imagery in Antarctica: http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&t=h&q=Antarctica&layer=c&cbll=-62.59609,-59.901651&panoid=ZzuMubmHCfCGGo3ePSlpCQ&cbp=12,233.34,,1,0.48&hq=&hnear=Antarctica&ll=-62.59609,-59.901651&spn=0.0008,0.00243&z=19

Some great penguin pictures :-D

We’re continuously working to improve the technology we use for Streetview, so it’s a reflection of the equipment in use at the time the imagery was taken. This blog post: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/06/street-view-our-biggest-update-yet.html has links to some of our newest high-resolution imagery!

If you click the tiny 'show options' link you can preference certain modes of transit over others (like trains over buses) , and preference walkings vs transfers. Super useful (especially in NYC!)

On Driving directions you can also avoid tolls / highways, too!

Great question! Six years ago an interactive map you could pan and drag was cutting edge technology, so you’re right, we’ve made some amazing progress. WebGL is opening an whole new world (no pun intended!) of possibilities for what can be done in the browser, and we’re excited about making an immersive & interactive ‘3D Mirror’ of the world.