Google confirms test to add in-store photos to Maps
updated 11:45 am EDT, Thu April 22, 2010
Google store view launches in 30 cities
Google today confirmed that its in-store view for Google Maps is real but won't be as some expected. The Business Photos project provides snapshots of the inside of a store to give an impression of its contents; while the shots aren't directly linked to Street View, they include views of actual products, store hours and other details that normally wouldn't be visible.
The test run so far involves certain businesses in 30 cities spread out across Australia, Japan and the US. Companies that aren't already included can sign up for interest. Regardless of their choices, companies are still free to post their own photos alongside or instead of Google's own.
Adding the business shots should have a ripple effect on both the desktop and mobile apps as most of these can access location-specific photos.
