Google will remove the standalone Street View app from the app stores, and its service will officially halt on March 21, 2023.
9to5Google first discovered a clue from the app's recent update, indicating that the tech giant intends to put an end to the app. Spokesperson Madison Gouveia confirmed the news to The Verge via a statement.
The Shutdown Notice
The most recent version of the Street View app from Google, version 2.0.0.484371618, includes a shutdown message that the company prepared. However, users will not be able to see these alerts in the app.
In the notice, users are encouraged to migrate to either Google Maps or Street View Studio by Google, as the dedicated Street View app will be discontinued next year.
9to5Google shared the message on the notification. It stated, "Street View App is going away ... Support will end [on] March 21, 2023. To publish your own 360 video, switch to Street View Studio. To view Street View and add Photo Spheres, use Google Maps."
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'Street View' Function
Through the dedicated Street View app, which is available for Android and iOS, users can explore locations on Google Maps. They can submit 360-degree images, which Google refers to as "photo spheres," to improve Street View.
But then users can also utilize Street View in the main Google Maps app and submit 360-degree footage using the Street View Studio online app.
All of these factors render the standalone app relatively unnecessary, thus Google's announcement of why it is removing the mobile app.
Getting Rid of 'Photo Paths' Permanently
However, the report said that the "Photo Paths" function is one of the features that will no longer be available once the Street View app is completely terminated.
Photo Paths were introduced in the previous year to provide a platform through which practically anybody with a smartphone could submit basic 2D photographs of a road that Street View could not yet cover.
There is no equivalent to the Street View app's Photo Paths feature on either the web app or the mobile app for Google Maps.
Recent Updates on the Google Maps
Google made sure it could still provide a better user experience despite the loss of the Street View app by redesigning the Maps app.
In an attempt to provide more than just text and photos, the tech firm has released a brand new element of the search engine tool. The update is supposed to reveal previously hidden information about certain areas, giving viewers a deeper visual understanding of those spots.
'Immersive View' is another new feature initially shown off during this year's Google I/O. It provides a 3D aerial perspective of a certain region or place and additional information, weather and traffic, and the option to zoom in on specific buildings.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Trisha Kae Andrada
