One of the neatest new features of Google Maps is called Street View; it enables users to see certain streets as if they were there, from the ground persepctive. It looks quite spectacular, but, unfortunately, it works only for users in the USA.
Well, someone figured out a way to avoid Google’s IP filter: simply add this string of characters, “&gl=us”, to the end of the URL. Example here.
Of course, chances that this will work after it spreads all over the net are slim to none, but if you’re fast, you still might be able to catch it in action. Screenshot below (have in mind that I’m not living in the US, therefore in normal circumstances I should not be able to use the service)
[via]
Immersive Media has some demos that will work outside of the US with no
hacks:
http://demos.immersivemedia.com/onlinecities/
Presumably Google will open this up at some point.
@Dustin: thanks for the tip. I was quick enough to try it out; now I have no problem waiting for it to open up globally. But, I don’t like IP filtering, it defeats the purpose of the Internet.
I added here the best Google Street View (28 views and more after …).