Google Streetview finally makes it to Chicago!

This probably shouldn’t excite me as much as it does, but… well, it does. Yeah ok, so Google’s Streetview is a little Orwellian and makes paranoiacs (like myself) think of all sorts of Big Brother references, but it’s still pretty neat. After it’s start in New York, San Francisco and Denver, I’ve been chomping at the bit for Chicago to be added. Being somewhat new to this city, I use Google Maps for directions nearly every day. This is an amazing place to just walk around, there’s great stuff to see everywhere, but I rarely remember the name of that cool gallery or bar I caught a glimpse of while passing by. Now, with the addition of the Chicago Streetview, I can just take a virtual walk and look around again. I can stroll down the same street and look in all directions, even zooming in and looking up, to find that familiar storefront, see it’s name on the sign, and then get directions to it’s doorstep.

Big Brother might be watching, but his toys sure are cool.

Along with Chicago, they’ve also added Portland, Philadelphia, Tucson, Phoenix and Pittsburgh. Check out Google’s commercial for Streetview too. Great stuff.