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Google Maps is no longer a flat map

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Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#61
post #36

By the way, for anyone who prefers Google Maps to load fast and show actual satellite/aerial imagery (rather than trying to render each tree as a weird crumpled blob) there's a flag you can set to get the old, fast 2D mode: https://maps.google.com/?force=canvas

You can also just use the "Globe" button in the side panel to toggle flat satellite imagery, while still keeping the smooth zooming.

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#63
post #36

By the way, for anyone who prefers Google Maps to load fast and show actual satellite/aerial imagery (rather than trying to render each tree as a weird crumpled blob) there's a flag you can set to get the old, fast 2D mode: https://maps.google.com/?force=canvas

The alternative to switch back is: https://maps.google.com/?force=webgl

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#65

Google Maps must be one of the modern wonders of the world, it's still nothing short of breathtaking to zoom out of streetview in crowded London and then land somewhere on a country crossroads in remote Vietnam.

And once you land on those country crossroads, you can continue exploring the area at the street level. It's really an incredible tool for sating wanderlust - just pop over to some place you've wanted to visit and wander the streets via streetview, all from the comfort of your seat! Speaking of which, GeoGuessr [1] is a great example of how to enjoy Google Maps. You start at some random streetview and try to figure o…

This is fantastic!

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#66
post #29

Very cool. However it's not using great circle routes for airline directions, for example ask to go from Calgary to London. It should go well over Greenland, but instead just follows the same path you'd get from drawing a line on a Mercator map.

Weird you're right, however if you use the measure distance tool it does follow the curve correctly.

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#67
post #61
post #36

By the way, for anyone who prefers Google Maps to load fast and show actual satellite/aerial imagery (rather than trying to render each tree as a weird crumpled blob) there's a flag you can set to get the old, fast 2D mode: https://maps.google.com/?force=canvas

You can also just use the "Globe" button in the side panel to toggle flat satellite imagery, while still keeping the smooth zooming.

I particularly like the transition when zoomed out and toggling the Globe button.

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#69
post #42
post #36

By the way, for anyone who prefers Google Maps to load fast and show actual satellite/aerial imagery (rather than trying to render each tree as a weird crumpled blob) there's a flag you can set to get the old, fast 2D mode: https://maps.google.com/?force=canvas

That does seem to show older images though.

Agreed, the images do seem lower quality than they used to be. I was curious, though, and chose buildings at random around the Google office in NYC, just to do a side-by-side, and even the old pictures look better:

https://i.imgur.com/0xEG4pb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bxwr3Ez.jpg

Re: Google Maps is no longer a flat map

#70
post #61
post #36

By the way, for anyone who prefers Google Maps to load fast and show actual satellite/aerial imagery (rather than trying to render each tree as a weird crumpled blob) there's a flag you can set to get the old, fast 2D mode: https://maps.google.com/?force=canvas

You can also just use the "Globe" button in the side panel to toggle flat satellite imagery, while still keeping the smooth zooming.

For those like me who had trouble finding it, it's in the hamburger menu.
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