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Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

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Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#11
post #7

I wonder if there actually does exist updated to-the-minute imagery of various places, just not from sources publicly available on platforms like Google Maps?

Yes, you can buy it from commercial providers like Planet or even Airbus. They update a few times a day, though depending on the place you are interested in, you may need to put in a request for them to image it.

Its actually not that difficult. I used to fly a satellite that could photograph anywhere in the world at least once every few days.

Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#12
post #9
post #5

Maps are extremely political. For Epstein island the US government has scrubbed/redated large periods of historic satellite imagery in order to hide construction of underground structures on each corner of the island. Chinese equivalents of Google earth offer clear images of different construction stages that the "US Coast Guard" prefers to hide. If you check different satellite imagery providers it's always interest…

Why would the island need underground structures at each corner?

I assume for the more depraved shit they wanted extra privacy for?

Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#14
post #4
post #2

Not entirely related, but Google Maps is still showing satellite images from 5 years ago in Paris, one of the most visited cities in the world, and it's not even updated once a year. I don't get it.

There's no promo packet material in spending money on making the product a bit better with up to date imagery so why would anyone bother?

How about Gemini Maps? Maps that fill the gaps!

Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#15
post #4
post #2

Not entirely related, but Google Maps is still showing satellite images from 5 years ago in Paris, one of the most visited cities in the world, and it's not even updated once a year. I don't get it.

There's no promo packet material in spending money on making the product a bit better with up to date imagery so why would anyone bother?

Half the company is happy coasting at their level and isn't even trying for promo.

Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#16
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's no promo packet material in spending money on making the product a bit better with up to date imagery so why would anyone bother?

How about Gemini Maps? Maps that fill the gaps!

Oh wait, it's already in progress... Nevermind.

Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#17
post #9
post #5

Maps are extremely political. For Epstein island the US government has scrubbed/redated large periods of historic satellite imagery in order to hide construction of underground structures on each corner of the island. Chinese equivalents of Google earth offer clear images of different construction stages that the "US Coast Guard" prefers to hide. If you check different satellite imagery providers it's always interest…

Why would the island need underground structures at each corner?

Backup power generators? Security control room? There are tens of reasons why you'd put some parts of your estate underground

Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#18
post #9
post #5

Maps are extremely political. For Epstein island the US government has scrubbed/redated large periods of historic satellite imagery in order to hide construction of underground structures on each corner of the island. Chinese equivalents of Google earth offer clear images of different construction stages that the "US Coast Guard" prefers to hide. If you check different satellite imagery providers it's always interest…

Why would the island need underground structures at each corner?

Only the US government can answer this. I think it involves smuggling of prohibited goods.

Re: Why is Google Maps back to showing old satellite images of Altadena?

#19
post #10
post #7

I wonder if there actually does exist updated to-the-minute imagery of various places, just not from sources publicly available on platforms like Google Maps?

It must be quite valuable data. One anecdote I heard/read somewhere was that firms often use satellite imagery of parking lots (over time, as one measure among others) to gauge how popular a place is. I don't know if it's true or not.

It's true and they go a lot further hunting signals that people without their resources simply can't.

https://www.financial-news.co.uk/how-hedge-funds-are-using-s...

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/10/investing/hedge-fund-dron...

They have the resources to spend (to them) a small amount to confirm/check a play before they make it, it's been a thing since commercial satellite imaging became a thing.

Hell the (somewhat terrible but somehow enjoyable) TV show Billions had it as a plot point years ago.

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