Google Getting In On The Olympics

I want to take this chance to do a bit of off-topic posting. As I live in Vancouver, it’s hard to not notice all the olympic changes to the city. Of course, changes have been happening constantly for the past several years, but in the past 2 weeks, things have really picked up. Google has really gotten into it, and I felt the need to post about it.

1. google.com/games10

First, google has started a new Vancouver 2010-specific site, google.com/games10 with maps, transit info, news, medal counts, and venues all listed.

2. Streetview atop Whistler Mountain

Second, (and quite cool), google outfitted a snowmobile with streetview cameras and gps equipment, and drove it up to the top of Whistler Mountain.

3. Updated Transit Info

Third, they’ve updated their google transit directions for Vancouver to incorporate all the route changes, making it (hopefully) quite easy to get around town if you have a smartphone.

4. Best of Vancouver

Fourth, users (including athletes), have compiled a “best of Vancouver” archive of interesting spots you can visit via google maps.

5. Google Doodle

Fifth, there’s apparently going to be a new google doodle for each day of the Vancouver Olympics.