Google Maps Enters the 4th Dimension

Facebook’s recent acquisition of Oculus VR, the ongoing evolution of wearable computing like Google Glass, and the increasingly immersive experience of Google’s Street View, suggest that most travelers in a few years will have already visited a destination in virtual reality before arriving in person. Thus, for the successful tourism entrepreneur, enticing visitors will require…

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Facebook’s recent acquisition of Oculus VR, the ongoing evolution of wearable computing like Google Glass, and the increasingly immersive experience of Google’s Street View, suggest that most travelers in a few years will have already visited a destination in virtual reality before arriving in person.

Thus, for the successful tourism entrepreneur, enticing visitors will require not only the creation of compelling content in 3 dimensions, but also in the 4th: time.

A recent announcement on Google’s blog suggests how time will be incorporated into the virtual travel world.

Prospective time-travelers now have the ability to look at certain landmarks, skylines, and roads both in their current form and how they existed a few years ago. 

As avid travelers, my wife Tricia and I have used Google’s street view on numerous occasions, and have come to the conclusion that it’s worth its weight in gold when planning a visit to new destinations.

If you’re curious about getting your business ‘on the map,’ check out Google’s Business View. It may help a few extra travelers find your location, especially in the not-so-distant future.

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