Ricoh/Ricoh Imaging: Ricoh and Google team up to allow RICOH THETA spherical images to be posted on Google Maps and Google+

RICOH and Google Team Up to Allow RICOH THETA Spherical Images to be Posted on Google Maps™ and Google+™

Ricoh Company, Ltd. and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. have upgraded the apps for the RICOH THETA spherical image camera to allow users to post spherical images they have taken on Google Maps and Google+, two services provided by Google. This service was made possible through a joint effort between Ricoh Company, Ltd. and Google, with the RICOH THETA apps made compatible with Photo Sphere XMP, Google’s panoramic image standard.
Spherical images can be posted to Google Maps and Google+ using the apps being released today, RICOH THETA for Android™ Version 1.2.0, RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0 and RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0. Photos taken outdoors or inside facilities that users have visited can be shared with many people by posting them on Google Maps and Google+. Users can also enjoy the Constellations feature, where they can connect spherical images to make an original Street View.
Users who have already purchased a RICOH THETA and enjoyed taking photos with it can post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+ by downloading the new version of the app they are using.
*A computer is required for posting spherical images from an iPhone to Google Maps.

About the New Apps

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0

RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0

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 for Android Version 1.2.0.
RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0
Spherical images can be saved in the Camera Roll (iOS). Spherical images can 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.
Spherical images can be uploaded 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.
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.

About Constellations

The Constellations service in the Views feature of Google Maps allows you to connect images uploaded to Google Maps and create an original Street View.
Spherical images that have not been uploaded via a smartphone can also be used for Constellations.

Screen capture of images that can be posted directly to Google Maps and Google+ from the gallery of the genuine app.

Windows is registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, Macintosh and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.

Google, Google Maps, Google+, Android and Nexus are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.