
Apple Maps street view footage collection ongoing in Pune with human-mounted system
The image collection process for Apple Maps' street view feature named Look Around is underway in Pune city. Spotted by The Indian Express at a street leading up to Taljai Hill on Monday, a human-mounted backpack system that uses eight cameras to capture 360-degree footage is being used for the process.
Similar to Google Maps' street view, this feature allows users to virtually visit locations.
According to Apple's website, this mapping process is being conducted in Maharashtra at locations like Pune and Mumbai from February 24 to July 31. Pedestrian surveys are used to improve and update Apple Maps 'at locations where vehicles simply can't go'. The tech giant says it is committed to ensuring privacy during this process and blurs faces and number plates before using the collected footage.
Officials at the Shinde High School at Taljai Hill said they had not allowed the survey to be conducted on the premises of the sports ground. Similarly, a Taljai Hill forest official told The Indian Express. 'They had permission from the Pune Municipal Corporation to survey, but not from the forest department. Therefore we did not allow them inside. If they get the permission then fine.' The surveyor at Taljai Hill did not wish to talk to the media.
A map on the website also highlights the other areas in the two cities that the survey intends to cover. In Pune, the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Katraj Lake, Saragbaug, Shaniwar Wada, the area in and around Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden, Hanuman Tekdi, Chaturshrungi Hill, Deccan College, the area around Pashan lake, and others locations will be covered.
In Mumbai, the survey areas include the CST Terminus, the Oval Maidan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Wankhede and Brabourne Stadiums, Chor Bazar, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Marine Drive, the area around Powai lake, Chheda Nagar Reserved Forest, Andheri Railway Station, Kanheri Caves, Worli Fort, Water Kingdom, and many other locations.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
iOS users rejoice: Apple wallet gets digital passport upgrade, but there's a catch you need to know
Flying within the US might become easier for iPhone users. Apple Wallet will soon offer a digital passport. Travelers can use their phones at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights. TSA will verify the digital ID using Face ID or Touch ID. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What's the new Apple Wallet update? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Can you use it for international flights? How does TSA verify your digital ID? Which iPhones support the digital ID? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs If you have an iPhone, your time at the airport might get better. At WWDC 2025, Apple announced an update, which was meant to make flying within the US has added a digital ID feature to Wallet. Apple announced that users of Apple Wallet will soon be able to access a new digital passport on iOS. This means that some travelers can get through TSA with just their before you get rid of your physical ID for good, you should know about a few important boarding domestic flights, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept this digital ID in lieu of a physical ID, as per a digital ID can only be used for domestic flights and is not a substitute for a physical passport, even though this new change will make domestic travel easier for many Apple Watch and smartphone doesn't work for international travel and only works on certain iOS devices and versions. A physical passport will still be required for passengers traveling abroad in order to board a your phone displays your information to the identity reader when you use your ID or license at a TSA checkpoint, you must authenticate using the Face ID or Touch ID linked to your ID or license, according to the Apple may be extra requirements based on where you show your ID or license. For instance, the TSA's identity reader takes a picture of you when you show them your ID or license so they can compare it to the picture you have in Apple Wallet, as quoted in a report by Travel & availability of digital IDs is subject to certain exceptions. An iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16.5 or later is needed to access the ID in Apple California, an iPhone XS or later running iOS 17.5 or later is required for the ID. An iPhone XS or later model is also required for Puerto Rico, but iOS 18.1 is a minimum attempting to use the digital ID at an airport, travelers should make sure their devices support the launch of the Apple digital ID, domestic travelers may have an additional choice and find it easier to have several IDs to show TSA when they it only applies to domestic US flights at TSA general, iPhone 8 or later with updated iOS, some states may require newer models.


NDTV
11 hours ago
- NDTV
Why Chongqing In China Has Become An Instagram-Favourite Travel Destination
Show Quick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed Imagine going to a city where the petrol stations are on roofs, trains run through residential buildings, buses float in the sky, there are elevators for cars, multi-storey restaurants on rivers, and when you think you're on the ground floor, you're actually on the 22nd. Welcome to Chongqing where even Google Maps as well as China's navigation apps Baidu Maps and AMap struggle to make sense of the city's chaotic topography and multi-level madness. With over 32 million residents, it is the largest city in the world by urban population, and easily one of the most unique by design. "Look closely here. You would think that we are on the ground floor, but in reality, we are on the 22nd floor of a storied building," excitedly claims Malina aka Malinavibes, a travel vlogger in one of her travel vlogs. Her video on YouTube panning from what looks like a regular pavement down to an endless drop. Malina is among thousands of creators who've made Chongqing the 'most viral city' in Asia right now. For context, Chongqing is one of China's national central cities and is a direct-administered municipality in Southwestern China. It is around 1800 kms from China's capital, Beijing. '186% Rise In Tourism' The buzz isn't just online. According to local media outlets, Chongqing's inbound tourism market has exploded, welcoming 1.27 million tourists in 2024 alone-up 183.6 % from the previous year. The city now ranks among China's top travel destinations on social media platforms, especially TikTok, Instagram and Xiaohongshu (China's Instagram equivalent). Chongqing's cultural industry has also flourished, generating Rs 1.67 lakh crore (145.27 billion yuan) in added value, up 5.6 % from 2023. The tourism sector alone grew by 7.4 % with most visitors coming from Southeast Asia. A growing number of Indians too are exploring the city, thanks to improved visa policies and better connectivity. However, the top reason why Chongqing is gaining popularity is because of the way it's built. But, Why Is Chongqing Built That Way? To understand Chongqing, you need to know its geography. This is a mountain city, nestled at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, with massive elevation changes. The city is essentially a series of plateaus, hills and cliffs stitched together by bridges, tunnels, escalators and flyovers. Because of the terrain, developers built vertically instead of horizontally. Hence, a building in Chongqing could have entrances on the 1st, 10th, and 20th floor, depending on which side of the property you're on. For instance, the viral Liziba Station, where a train cuts through a residential complex, is not a quirky design decision - it's an urban necessity. Its design is a response to the need to maximise space and connectivity in a challenging environment. This unique city has now been given various names, such as "5D city" or "cyberpunk city", which only add to its popularity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dylan Page (@ The city infrastructure was also impacted by various historical events. For instance, during World War II, Chongqing served as China's wartime capital, enduring heavy bombing campaigns. This led to the development of underground shelters and tunnels, which later influenced the city's layered urban structure. Additionally, the war accelerated rapid urban expansion, as refugees and government institutions relocated to the city. Now, let's look at the other reasons. Direct Flights And Easy Visas In recent years, there has been a shift in how China is approaching tourism. Once known for its stringent visa policies, the country is now making travel more accessible - even for Indians. Recently, China relaxed visa rules to foster tourism and business opportunities for Indian travellers. The new policy allows them to experience the country with simplified documentation. Between January and April 2025, the Chinese Embassy in India issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens. Whether for leisure, business, or backpacking, the doors to China are now more open than ever. While Chongqing was once a challenging destination, there are now direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. With plans underway to restore and expand direct connectivity with India, particularly from New Delhi and Kolkata, we can only expect the popularity to continue growing. Improved air routes and easier accessibility have further fuelled travel demand. A Dream For Content Creators Social media has transformed travel trends, turning once-hidden gems into global hotspots almost overnight. Chongqing, with its futuristic skyline, neon-lit streets, and multi-level roads, has become a visual spectacle that thrives on digital exposure. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHEV AND DEV | Travel Creator (@shev_n_dev) From drone shots of mist-covered mountains surrounding skyscrapers to timelapses of the cable cars gliding over a buzzing city and Yangtze river, Chongqing offers endless content opportunities. No wonder #Chongqing is rising fast on global platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Super Efficient (And Trippy) Transport System The CRT (Chongqing Rail Transit) is a marvel in itself, and many just travel to Chongqing to experience this. Trains here defy expectations-rising on stilts, plunging through buildings, and navigating hairpin curves around mountains. Once designed due to space constraints and increasing dense population, the Liziba monorail station in Chongqing is now one of the major tourist attractions. It is a unique structure where a light rail train passes through a 19-storey residential building. The station and building were constructed together as one whole structure, with the monorail integrated into the sixth to eighth floors (without making any noise, btw). Then there are elevated buses and sky bridges which helps people climb massive vertical distances in minutes. Add to that the Yangtze River cableway, where you can glide across the river in a suspended cable car and wave at cargo ships floating below you. Hotpot, Nightlife and Floating Restaurants Food is another major draw. Chongqing is often called the hotpot (which is again popular on social media, even in India) capital of China. You can find souvenirs of hotpots here. The local version is spicier than what you'd find elsewhere, with fiery Sichuan peppercorns that can make your lips tingle for hours. One of the most sought-after experiences? Hotpot on a boat floating down the Yangtze, surrounded by neon reflections of the skyline. Some of these boats are multi-storeyed, complete with karaoke lounges, game zones, and rooftop decks. The nightlife is equally fascinating. Thanks to its tall buildings layered across hills, reflections in the river, and LED-lit bridges, Chongqing's skyline is straight out of a cyberpunk film. Chongqing's Hongya Cave is a fairy-tale complex of stilt houses and restaurants clinging to a cliffside, lit up like a festival every night. It's not just scenic - it's Instagram gold, with a history. The complex is believed to have functioned as a fortress from the time of the ancient Ba State (1046 B.C. - 256 B.C) through the end of the Qing dynasty. Affordable Travel And Accommodation While most big Chinese cities such as Shanghai or Beijing can dent your wallet, Chongqing remains surprisingly affordable. Budget hotels start at around Rs 2,000 per night, hotpot meals are under Rs 500 for two, and local transport services are also reasonable.


Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
Snan Yatra fever grips Digha: Mamata sends homegrown mangoes for bhog
The sacred Snan Yatra festival commenced with great fervour at Jagannath Dham in Digha on Tuesday, marking a spiritually vibrant prelude to the forthcoming Rathayatra celebrations. The deities — Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi — will be ceremoniously brought out from the temple's inner sanctum to the Snan Bedi, a special bathing platform constructed on the temple's eastern side. Bathed in the morning sun, the platform will become the stage for one of the most sacred rituals of the Vaishnavite calendar. The deities will be bathed in water collected from 108 holy tirthas. This elaborate Snan Vidhi will then be followed by an anointing ceremony involving devotional chants, pancha-amrit (a mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar), sweet fruit juices, and other sacred substances. 'Once the divine bath, or Snan Vidhi, is complete, the deities will be offered a grand bhoga. And in a truly heartwarming gesture, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has sent a special gift! Luscious mangoes and jackfruits, plucked straight from the trees in her Kolkata residence. It will be included in the afternoon's elaborate Chappan Bhog, a magnificent offering of 56 delectable items,' said Radharaman Das, Vice President of ISKCON. Darshan timings on the day of the festival are scheduled from 3 pm to 9 pm, during which devotees will have the rare opportunity to witness the deities in Gaja Vesha (elephant attire), a form said to bless viewers with prosperity and protection. However, starting Wednesday, the temple will observe a period of tender silence as the deities are believed to fall ill due to the elaborate bathing ritual — a state affectionately called Snana Yatra fever. As per tradition, Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi will enter a period of divine rest, making themselves unavailable for public darshan, said Das. 'However, the temple will remain open, and Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan ji will bless the devotees with darshan,' he said. The deities are expected to reappear on June 26, a day before the grand Rathayatra on June 27. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More