We're in Silicon Valley this week for Google I/O 2016 — the annual developer conference wherein Google will showcase the best of what's to come for developers and consumers. And since we're at (or close enough to) the Googleplex all week, we're required to make a pilgrimage to the Android statue garden.
For the uninitiated, every major version of Android has a nickname. It started with Cupcake. Then Donut. Eclair. Froyo. Gingerbread. Honeycomb. Ice Cream Sandwich. Jelly Bean. Kit Kat. Lollipop. And currently, we have Marshmallow. And each of those tasty treats has a corresponding statue.
And since virtual reality and 360-degree photography are going to be BIG this year (and not just because we say so), we though it'd be appropriate to offer up a quick 360-degree look at said statues. The following are all shot with the Ricoh Theta S.
Inside the Android statue garden #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
The more astute among you may notice that there's no Marshmallow statue. We don't think there's any sort of conspiracy at work here. While it's possible Google's making room for an N statue (though it may well be too early for that just yet), the Marshmallow is elsewhere on the Google campus. It'll probably join the crew here once we get an N statue.
Mmmmmmm. Froyo. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
One of the things we've started to learn about 360-degree photography is that it helps to have everything in the frame within about 10 or 15 feet, and it's better if there's not too much change in depth among the subjects. This space doesn't lend itself to that too well.
An ant's-eye view of the Android statue garden. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Plopping the camera down on the ground and taking a remote shot removes the photograph's giant hairy thumbs. But then you pretty much just get an ant's-eye view of the scene. It's different, but maybe not great. (And, again, you've got the distance thing.)
E is for Elsie! #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Light can get a little interesting, too. This definitely isn't as bad as if there's direct sunlight, but the difference between light and dark spaces is fairly apparent.
Hello, Lollipop! #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Lollipop may well be our favorite of the more recent statues. There's just something fun and different about that guy.
That's it from the Googleplex. Be sure to follow all of our Google I/O coverage this week.
