Google Trike View. Just a fun site, or an invasion of privacy?
Is Google Trike View just a cool fun site or is it another eye in the sky peeking at you? I may be naive but in this high tech age if anybody wants to spy on you there are a lot of better ways than this. Some sites can almost show the part in your hair. This isn't one of them. Personally, I think it's sort of cool and has the potential to be very cool as it evolves. But, not everyone agrees with me.
I suppose there is some downside potential in that it can go into college campuses, shopping malls, sports venues, etc to look for weaknesses in security. This is an addition to Street View but unlike Street View, it can take you to places that you can't get to by car or see by satellite.
On the positive side,if you have a particular ride that you are thinking about doing, or place that you would like to visit, you may soon be able to check it out ahead of time. You may want to pack up and go or just forget it and look somewhere else. Or, you may want to clue your friends and other bike lovers in on a place that you really enjoyed.
Here is what Google has to say about it. Check out and you decide for yourself.Google Trike: Going Where No Street View Vehicle Has Gone Before
Google has added to their Street View transportation fleet: a tricycle. Dubbed "Google Trike," the pimped out pedaling three-wheel bike goes where cars just can't. Or shouldn't, anyway.
The idea was conceived by Dan Ratner, a mechanical engineer/mountain biking enthusiast at the Mountain View, CA search giant. Ratner has already photographed LEGOLAND and the Arastradero Open Preserve.
There's a lot of land to cover out there, and Google is taking nominations for the next place in the U.S. to be photographed with Google Trike. Simply go to
www.google.com/trike
to make your nomination for one of the following categories:· Parks & Trails· University Campuses· Pedestrian Malls (e.g., outdoor shopping areas, boardwalks)· Theme Parks & Zoos· Landmarks· Sports Venues (e.g., golf courses, racing tracks, stadium grounds)Nominations are open until October 28. Google will select a winner in each category and then open the finalists up to voting by the public.
