Google launches standalone app that lets you upload you own 360 'photo spheres'

It allows users to easily access the firms 'street view collections' which include everywhere from the Grand canyon to art galleries around the world.

Users of the free Android and iOS apps can also upload their own 360 degree panoramas to expand the service.

'For all the Street View fans out there: exploring the world just got even easier,' Google's Charles Armstrong said in a blog post.

'Today we are introducing the new Street View app for Android and iOS, which allows you for the first time, to tour immersive 360-degree imagery and instantly contribute your own — right to Google Maps.'

'Find a great hiking trail, check out restaurant and hotel interiors, and snap and share your own photo spheres (360-degree panoramas) to Google Maps for others to explore and enjoy. 

'All in one place.'

In one gallery, users can explore Street View collections and content from Google Maps alongside photo spheres contributed from people around the globe.

'So whether you want to track the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, scale the famed rock wall El Capitan in Yosemite, or hike Mt. Fuji, the Street View app has you covered.'

It also adds DIT panorama capabilities. 

'Now you can publish photo spheres of your favourite places from around the world (or around the block!) to Google Maps instantly. 

The Street View app allows you to shoot photo spheres directly from your Android phone or iPhone or connect to spherical cameras like the Ricoh Theta S, or NCTech iris360.'

Google uses its own cameras to capture 360 imagery.

The Street View Trekker camera took more than a year to develop.

It weighs 40lb and includes a multi-lens 15-megapixel camera, an on-board hard drive, and enough battery to run for an entire day.

Cameras are positioned to give a 360-degree view so every possible angle is captured and photos are automatically captured every 2.5 seconds.

The Trekker can be fitted inside a backpack meaning it can be worn by Google photographer - or mounted on vehicles to avoid bear attacks.

(Daily Mail)