Google clearly has too much cash sitting around. The latest evidence: the new Street Views feature on Google Maps, which shows fully rotateable photos for all Manhattan streets, plus much of downtown Brooklyn, and select streets from other boroughs. To trigger the new feature, search for an address per normal in Google Maps, then click the "Street View" button in the upper right corner. Warning: prepare to sacrifice the next 30 minutes of your life to random virtual wandering.
UPDATE: Microsoft has cool new map bling today too; seems to require a download.
[Street View coverage areas noted in blue.]
· Google Maps Adds Street View [Lifehacker]