Do you love drone videos, but sulk about them occasionally missing your favourite spots? Good news, fussy people!
Google HK’s Managing Director Dominic Allon posted a blog last Friday showing off Google Maps’ new 3D imagery, which allows you to “swoop down over this magnificent harbour city, and zigzag your way between the skyscrapers.” Pretty cool, eh?
And since seeing is believing or whatever, here’s a demo video.
1. Open Google Maps
2. Click the “Earth” thumbnail in the bottom left corner.
3. To see trees and buildings, zoom in by scrolling your mouse (or by using the + and – buttons in the bottom right). Zoom out to see cityscapes and clouds. Zoom out fully to see the world, the Moon, Mars, and even the Milky Way galaxy!
Repulse Bay as seen using Google Maps
To get the “helicopter” effect from the video, click the tilt button on the bottom right (helpfully circled in red, because we’ve got your back) and click and drag to “swoop”.
Bet that dude who blew HKD400,000 on his helicopter proposal is kicking himself now.
New proposal idea: take your partner on a long, romantic walk to the computer for a virtual helicopter ride, and then explain how that is only one of the many fiscally responsible things you will do during your marriage. Bam!
The only thing you can’t do with the new Maps feature is recreate Dru Hill’s video for How Deep is Your Love. You’ll definitely need a drone for that one. And access to Hopewell Centre’s pool.
Disclosure: Coconuts HK is not affiliated with Google HK, we just get super excited about stuff.
Photos & video: Google HK
