People around the world can now take a virtual tour around the streets of Thunder Bay. The city was added this week to the Google "Street View" service available on the Internet.
The database of panoramic photographs offers images along nearly every street in the city. The service from Google Maps first came to Canada in October with coverage in most major cities. 130 smaller Canadian towns and cities were added this week. The online service provides a 360 degree view using special multi-camera and GPS technology mounted on vehicles. It appears most of the local images were taken this past August and September.
Anyone who was walking in places where the images were taken can now see themselves frozen in that moment. Dougall Media's own Frank Caputo was walking to work when he spotted the strange looking vehicle on North Hill Street.
For privacy reasons, Google blurs out faces and license plate numbers in every photo. The service is expected to become a useful tool for travelers and real estate agents trying to sell homes.
