Hot trends watch: EveryScape

As we know, Google Maps lets you view satellite images of just about anywhere in the world, and with its Street View function, you can even virtually cruise down the street and look in store windows. But that's so 2 seconds ago.

Now EveryScape actually walks you inside the building.

The mapping service, which opened its doors last October, experienced a surge in Google searches Monday morning, jumping to No. 4 on the Hot list.

Here is where EveryScape shines: Let's say you're planning to stay at the Mosaic Hotel in Beverly Hills. EveryScape will show you a 360-degree, ground-level perspective of the area, so you can scope out nearby restaurants -- Cool Basil is a popular Thai place within walking distance, and if you're in the mood for Italian, La Dolce Vita is less than a mile away and got great reviews from users. You can even get a peek inside the hotel's own eatery, an elegant looking spot decorated with a tapestry of brown and black -- or step outside to check out the poolside view, adorned with exotic greenery.

The site offers 360-degree street views for 14 major cities, including Beverly Hills and Laguna Beach. While there's still a significant gap between its coverage and Google Street View's more than 40 U.S. cities, EveryScape has ventured beyond our homeland's borders, mapping the streets of grand cities like Beijing and Krakow, Poland.

With a tool for previewing interiors and reading reviews, maybe EveryScape could save me from taking dates to restaurants I can't afford.

-- Mark Milian, intern at latimes.com

Comments

[Krakow]

Everyscape is the future and I hope it can compete with the Big G. Its good for everybody to have competitors and choice.