Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

We may earn commissions when you buy from links on our site. Why you can trust us.

author photo

Google Maps Adds a 'Time Machine' Feature to Street View

by Fox Van Allen on April 23, 2014

Google Street View of NYC's Freedom Tower, 2011

Google Maps Street View's new time machine function allows you
to see how an area, such as NYC's Freedom Tower (shown), has
changed over the last 7 years.

Google’s latest feature lets you travel back in time – no Delorean required. Starting today, Google has turned its popular Google Maps service into a virtual time capsule, letting see how the world around you has changed over time since the 2007 launch of Street View.

“Now with Street View, you can see a landmark's growth from the ground up, like the Freedom Tower in New York City or the 2014 World Cup Stadium in Fortaleza, Brazil,” the company explains on its official blog. “This new feature can also serve as a digital timeline of recent history, like the reconstruction after the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Onagawa, Japan. You can even experience different seasons and see what it would be like to cruise Italian roadways in both summer and winter.”

To use the new feature, keep an eye out for a clock icon in the upper left-hand area of Street View images. When you click on it, you’ll gain access to a slider that lets you turn back time to see how the area in question looked during other passes of Google’s Street View camera car. If you don’t yet see the clock icon, be patient – the feature is still being rolled out and is not available to everyone yet.

You can learn more about Google’s new Street View time machine feature by visiting the Google Blog or by watching the short promotional video below. To give the new feature a try, head over to Google Maps.


Topics

Computers and Software, News, Internet & Networking, Travel, Blog, Travel


Discussion loading

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships | Licensing & Permissions
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.