Ricoh and Google team up to get Theta spherical pictures on Google Maps

Ricoh has updated the suite of apps provided with the Theta spherical image camera, to allow users to post images from the Theta to Google Maps and Google+. According to Ricoh, these new abilities are a result of collaboration with Google to make the Theta’s images compatible with Photo Sphere XMP, Google’s standard for panoramic images. More details in the press release, below.

Click here to read about our experience with the Ricoh Theta (running previous version apps)

Press release:

RICOH and Google Team Up to Enable RICOH THETA

Spherical Images to be Posted on Google Maps TM and Google+TM                 

January 29, 2014 – Ricoh Company, Ltd. and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. have updated the apps for the RICOH THETA spherical image camera to allow users to post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+, two services provided by Google. Made possible through a collaboration between Ricoh Company, Ltd. and Google, the RICOH THETA apps are now compatible with Photo Sphere XMP, Google’s panoramic image standard. 

Released today, the RICOH THETA for AndroidTM Version 1.2.0, RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0 and RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0, are now able to post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+. Photos taken outdoors or even inside facilities can be shared by posting them on Google Maps and Google+. Users can also enjoy the Constellations feature, which enables them to connect spherical images to make an original Street View.

RICOH THETA owners can post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+ by downloading the new version of the app for their connected device.

*A computer is required for posting spherical images from an iPhone to Google Maps.

Pricing and Availability

The Ricoh Theta is available for purchase online for a price of $399.95. 

About the New Apps 

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0

• Release date: January 29, 2014
• Download from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theta
• Compatible models: Android OS4.0 and later (operation is not guaranteed on all devices.)
• Price: Free

RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0

• Release date: January 29, 2014
• Download from: https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/ricoh-theta/id667238484?mt=8
• Compatible models: iOS6 and later, iPhone4S/iPhone5/iPhone5C/iPhone5S, iPod Touch 5th generation and later
• Price: Free

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0

• Release date: January 29, 2014
• Download from: https://theta360.com/en/support/download/
• Compatible models: *Compatible OS: Windows: Windows 7 SP1 and later, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 /Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.6-10.8 https://theta360.com/en/support/manual/content/pc/pc_01.html
• Price: Free

Details of Upgrades

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0 and RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0

• Spherical images can be uploaded to Google+ from your smartphone. You can also scroll around spherical images in Google+.

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0

• Spherical images can be saved in the Gallery* and Google Photos (Android) and uploaded directly by selecting “Google+” from the sharing function of the Gallery or Google Photos. Spherical images saved in the Gallery and Google Photos can also be browsed in RICOH THETA app for Android Version 1.2.0. 

RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0

• Spherical images can be saved in the Camera Roll (iOS and be uploaded from the Camera Roll by installing the Google+ app and using the Add Photo function. Spherical images saved in the Camera Roll can also be browsed in RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0.

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0 only

• Spherical images can be uploaded to Google Maps directly from your smartphone directly by selecting “Google Maps” from the sharing function of the Gallery or Google Photos.

*The Gallery is the original album app of the Smartphone Google Edition and the Nexus Series.

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0

• It is possible to apply Photo Sphere XMP to captured photos saved on your computer and output them as spherical images. To do so, Open the spherical image to which you want to apply Photo Sphere XMP, select “Write” > “Write with XMP” from “File” in the menu bar and save the image. Upload the image to Google Maps or Google+ in your browser.

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac does not have a function for uploading spherical images directly to Google Maps or Google+.

*Spherical images uploaded to Google Maps using the above apps need to be approved by Google before being posted.

Comments

And yet – nobody cared. 😉

Really? I’d expect realtors to be going nuts over this….

Current panoramic technologies employed by Google can’t even produce internal images of buildings free from major distortion and tearing issues.

I bought this camera knowing the picture quality is not great, but wanted to support the first generation of this product.

Turned out to be a really fun camera. when you get over the idea that this camera is not for pixel peeping but capturing the moment it makes sense.

There are so many things that can be improved thought such as:
Phone App – adding a intervalometer would be awesome
Phone App – controlling ISO and shutter speed, that could mean better night shots.
Computer App – save view as jpg without the ‘white control’ icons
Camera – syncing both cameras better so they always have the same exposure.

Really looking forward to a better version that has at least Gopro quality pictures even with increased size and price.

junk

Pretty usefull actually