Earlier today Google announced the release of Android 4.2, an update to Jelly Bean. One of the big features being touted is the new camera app that introduces a feature called “Photo Sphere.” To help folks visualize the new capabilities, Google produced a video showing how it works and a taste of the final product. Like normal panoramic photo mode, the camera will guide you to where your next snapshot needs to be aimed using a targeting system. Unlike panoramic photos, the app guides you to take some photos on more than one level, some higher and some lower than your initial plane of focus. All the photos are then stitched together to effectively create a “Street View” type photo. You can move right or left, up and down some, and you can zoom in and out.
Anyone want to guess how long before Google enables users to upload these videos to Google Maps, effectively making anyone with a Photo Sphere capable device a part of their Street View fleet? Hit the break to view the video showing this new capability.
UPDATE: Google was apparently thinking along the same lines. Shortly after posting this story, Google’s Evan Rapoport posted on the Lat Long Blog that users would be able to upload their Photo Sphere creations to Google Maps to share with the world. Rapoport indicates this new feature will “help make Google Maps more comprehensive.” Just start looking for the blue dots on Google Maps to view user generated Photo Spheres.
source: Google Lat Long Blog