Google Maps' Satellite view is not what you think it is and we're devastated
You know those moments where you learn a piece of mind-blowing information that makes you feel like your entire life was a lie? Google Maps co-creator Bret Taylor has sent the internet into panic mode after informing us that the Satellite view on Google Maps is nothing but a BIG. FAT. LIE.
Brace yourself.
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Taking to Twitter earlier today, Taylor decided to share with us all the seemingly “silly” origin story of Google Maps‘ Satellite mode—which apparently was almost called “Bird Mode”.
“Here’s a silly Google maps origin story about how “Satellite” was almost named “Bird Mode”” Taylor reveals on Twitter.
“In 2005, Google exec team (Larry, Sergey, etc) had a weekly product review meeting. We had launched Google Maps in February, and by summer, we’d integrated satellite imagery from our Keyhole (aka Google Earth) acquisition and were ready to launch — so we set up a launch review.”
In 2005, Google’s exec team (Larry, Sergey, etc) had a weekly product review meeting. We had launched Google Maps in February, and by summer, we’d integrated satellite imagery from our Keyhole (aka Google Earth) acquisition and were ready to launch — so we set up a launch review.
— Bret Taylor (@btaylor) February 23, 2019
What he shares next will blow your mind and reveal the lie that we’ve been living.
There was a geeky holy war on the Maps team. When Lars checked in the code to switch between maps and imagery, he called it “Satellite.” We were quickly informed that a significant % of the images were taken from airplanes — “Aerial Photography.” Our name was factually incorrect.
— Bret Taylor (@btaylor) February 23, 2019
That’s right. The Satellite view IS NOT ACTUALLY FROM SATELLITES. It’s from freaking AIRPLANES!
I’m going to need a minute.
At least the rest of Taylor’s story is somewhat comical and makes up for the deceit I’m sure we’re all currently experiencing.
I could not resolve the disagreement before our launch review, so we come into the meeting room with an unnamed feature. As you might expect, the meeting devolved from a “launch review” to every Google exec and their mother naming the feature on our behalf. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/siiA4u0ElZ
— Bret Taylor (@btaylor) February 23, 2019
The rule was: the review had to end on time. When the clock ticked zero, the buzzer would buzz, and like an NBA game, the meeting was over and decisions final.
So here we are, throwing out names like “Airplane View,” “Superman,” “I Feel Picture-y,” and this clock is ticking down
— Bret Taylor (@btaylor) February 23, 2019
We spend the next few days freaking out. We knew the feature was going to be huge, and now it had this name that everyone on both sides of the Satellite-vs-Aerial-Photography war agreed was silly and horrible. But it was *decided*.
So what do we do?
— Bret Taylor (@btaylor) February 23, 2019
It turns out, when you write the code, you have a fair amount of power. ?
We pocket vetoed the decision and launched with “Satellite.” And literally no exec noticed or remembered our review.
And we have been deceiving people with our not-really-satellite imagery ever since.
— Bret Taylor (@btaylor) February 23, 2019
I feel so betrayed.
How does this sudden realization make you feel? Would you have preferred is to be called “Bird Mode”? Sound off in the comments below!
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