Google StreetView was a popular application developed by Google that provided users with 360-degree panoramic street-level views of various locations around the world. The app was available on both Android and iOS platforms and was widely used by people for various purposes such as exploring new places, checking out potential travel destinations, and planning routes.
And now, Google has removed their StreetView App for Android and Apple devices. This App has popular features that only exist within the App and are not duplicated anywhere else. By removing this App, Google has also removed these features.
Many used to go to Google Maps and watch those small blue dots for 360-degree photos. People could upload 360-degree photos and attach them to a specific point on Google Maps for everyone to see. This feature was used by millions of people worldwide to view places they have not been to, and places that Google StreetView can reach.
As a smartphone photographer, I used to take 360-degree photos in interior places such as the middle of a village river, or a mountain top. These are places a Google StreetView car cannot reach. There are no existing places on Google Maps for these areas. The only way to upload a 360-degree photo from these areas onto Google Maps was by using the StreetView App which Google has removed now.
The PHOTO SPHERE feature of the Street View App was very useful, I don’t have a 360-degree camera, so I used a smartphone camera to take 360-degree photos using the PHOTO SPHERE feature and now it’s going away.
The decision by Google to remove its Street View App and associated features is sad news for many people worldwide judging by the number of comments appearing online. It will also mean businesses and organisations can no longer upload 360-degree photos of their places where they can show exactly where the photo was taken.
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@ShajanKumar Thanks for the post.
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@ShajanKumar
I acknowledge you are upset about the decision like other 360 photographers.
That said, your post fails to mention that 360 can be created by other apps and 360 images can still be uploaded to pins (places of interest) where normal flat photos and videos can be added.
Also, you mentioned that 360 images will no longer be available to Maps users. This is not correct.
There are third-party services that will allow users to continue adding single 360 images to random sets of GPS coordinates. Such services may charge you.
All the best
Morten
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Thank you for this update.
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@ShajanKumar
Here is a link I expect you will find relevant:
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/3093484
Pay special attention to the text under the heading:
Understand the Street View app deprecation
Cheers
Morten
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Hello, LG @ShajanKumar
OOur respected @MortenCopenhagen has given you all the relevant details… Right?
Still you need assistance, kindly tag us.
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Why is there any benefit to switch to a Unknown provider to now upload our 360 spheres to so we can again place them in the Spots where they have been taken and what empowers them to use that feature and not everybody or how to apply on a programm that lets me use that API as well as they do?
@MortenCopenhagen Hey! Please could you tell me how to add photo spheres from other apps onto Google maps?? Do I just add it like a photo or click a specific pin location and then add it. I couldn’t find clear steps on how to add 360 photo spheres directly onto Google maps because of course I was used to just putting it on the street view app and it’ll be put on Google maps automatically. Please help. Thanks!
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Hi @LocalStar
You can add individual 360 images just like we add flat photos to an existing pin on Google Maps. It is no longer possible to add individual 360 images to random sets of GPS coordinates using Google’s products.
It has been reported that such individual 360 images after some time got moved to the correct GPS location, but this is not something I have seen.
If it is very important for you to have your individual 360 images shown at specific GPS coordinats, then you will need to investigate the apps and services provided by third-party vendors. I have read that it is possible, but this is not something I have tested. You will need to consult with the third-party vendors.
All the best
Morten
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@Frodo_D
It would be very helpful if you would use the tagging tool when replying to someone here on Connect. Type @ followed by the username. Type slowly. Then we get an e-mail notification and you are more likely to get a prompt reply. Just hitting Reply does not ensure we get notified by email.
Google made the decision to no longer provide a free app to place 360 image to any spot on Google Maps.
Using the API is what the third-party vendors are doing. It requires considerable programming skills and efforts to make an app or service.
The third-party vendors typically will need to charge 360 photographers for their service.
For Google there is a benefit and not much benefits for you. Google will no longer need to cover the cost of maintaining the Streetview app.
All the best
Morten
just a reminder
this does not mean people can’t add street views anymore…just that the ways of doing it are changing…
you have to use other applications for doing it…
