Although mobile GoogleMaps is good enough already with Satellite and Map views, the StreetView feature will allow users to “see” where they are going in 3D, just like the regular desktop version.
I am actually in the process of upgrading my mobile GoogleMaps on my Blackberry 8830, so will have a video soon.
Today we’re launching a new version of Google Maps for mobile with the same street-level imagery available on desktop. Wondering if the restaurant in your search results is the one you’re thinking of? Just click “Street View” after your search to see the storefront. Unsure about a complicated intersection in your directions? Use Street View to see a photo, so there’s no mistaking your turn. You can also launch Street View from any address where we have photography, or simply by clicking on the map and selecting “Street View”. You can browse Street View overlaid on the map or in full screen, rotate your view to see more of your surroundings, and move along the street.
HotPads.com provides interesting heat maps. I am not sure how accurate it is but the service looks very promising, especially if you are looking to rent or buy in certain area.
Above is a heat map of household income of San Francisco. The meter stops at about $61K, I wish it went further to something like $200-300K at least.
HotPads, which brought us the foreclose heat map, now offers a handy rent ratio heat map. The rent ratio is a home’s sale price divided by the annual rent of a comparable home in the same neighborhood. Looking at the rent ratio gives you a quick sense of whether it makes more sense to rent or buy in a particular neighborhood. If the ratio is high (red on the map), it is usually a good indication that you are better off renting. If it is low (blue on the map), you are better off buying.
