Data Firmware

Google Now Contextual Photos backgrounds in Seoul

Google Now Contextual Photos backgrounds in Seoul

Over at his Google Operating System blog, Alex posted about how the background image in Google Now has changed for some people from the generic-but-cute default Google pictures to pixelated cityscapes that appear to be from the users local area.

I noticed this in my Google Now several weeks ago, but to be honest I just assumed everyone saw this same image. I sure didnt recognize it as being from the local area then. But in fact, it looks like other Korean users are being shown the same image, so it must be from Seoul.

Heres what I usually see:

My Google Now card, showing the background cityscape

Detail view of Google Nows (Seoul?) skyline image

If I had to guess, Id say that tall building near center-right is the 63 Building (?? ??). Compare this scene with photos taken of it such as this one here and this one here. What do you think? Same scene? I cant seem to find exactly the shot that Google is using here, so anyone has any more information, let us know.

UPDATE 2015-01-12:

Wonhyo Bridge (?) background in Google Now

Well look at that, I posted yesterday and suddenly today, another image is available. This one looks to me to be the Wonhyo Bridge (????). Compare the image with these photos.

UPDATE 2015-01-17:

Seongsu Bridge & Namsan Tower background in Google Now

Here is yet another that showed up yesterday. This one pretty clearly shows the Seongsu Bridge (????) at foreground with the N Seoul Tower (N????) on Namsan (??) in the background. Compare Googles image with this one taken by Robert Koehler. Pretty spot-on. Incidentally, visit Roberts blog for more great photos of Korea.


At any rate, I think most of these photos are pretty... pretty ugly. The weird pixelation makes it look childish and a bit distracting. I like the sentiment behind it, but surely there are better photos they could have chosen.

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