You’ve probably heard the buzz by now that Google is in Winnipeg taking photos for their Street View feature on Google Maps. Basically it’s a 3D panoramic image that’s captured from atop one of their vehicles with a fancy schmancy camera. The vehicle they’re using is a Chevrolet Cobalt sedan with Ontario plates. There’s a Google logo affixed to the driver and passenger doors. The below photo was taken in Winnipeg on April 6.

Google Street View Winnipeg

Sarah and Jay at CURVE 94.3 have been trying to track down the Google vehicle to do a huge photo op with it in front of their station on Pembina Highway. So far, there have been a few sightings, mainly around the St. Vital area (St. Mary’s, Bishop Grandin, Dakota etc.) Ace Burpee claims to have also seen it on Monday somewhere.

No word on how long they’ll be in town, but they couldn’t have picked a worse time to come to our city. Think about it… it’s absolutely filthy out! Between the brown grass peaking through the sand-coloured snow, massive potholes and flooding, Winnipeg will look like some third world country to the general Internet population while viewed on Google Maps.

But at least we’re being included in the technology this time around. Street View is already active in several other countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and parts of Europe.

Winnipeg Free Press multimedia editor, Tyler Walsh, has suggested Winnipeggers print out a Welcome Google sign and place it in the front window of your house, or in your car window.

If you see the vehicle, take a photo/video and send it in. Also drop me a line on Twitter with the location if you spot it.

Image credit: Shaun W. via Flickr.com

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