Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced this past July that they are planning to digitally archive the areas of Northeastern Japan that was affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Google has driven more than 44,000 kilometers through the affected regions and collected images using 360-degree panoramic imagery to show you how devastating it looks. Google is hoping that this will help scientists gain a better understanding of the damage caused by natural disasters. [Google Blog]

Grand Theft Auto 4 fans that interact on GTA4.net had come together and spent 2 months to put together an Google Street View interactive map for Liberty City, a map from the game. If you often use Google Street View and Google Maps, you will know exactly how to use the interactive map on GTA4.net. You can even filter the map based on where you can pick up different weapons, perform stunts, and activities.

The Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) Street View cameras have gone nautical to capture the Amazon rainforest. Google is also using bicycle cameras to capture the rainforest.

Transcenic, a company that apparently only the patent office has ever heard of, is suing Google, Microsoft and AOL for patent infringement. ZDNet reports that the patent, granted in 2006, is for a “spacial referenced photographic system with navigation arrangement.” Google Street View, Microsoft Streetside and AOL’s Mapquest all appear to infringe on the patent.

Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has launched the “Street View” project in India on Thursday. Street View collects panoramic images and places them in Google Maps for users to see what buildings look like in real life. In India, Google Street View is starting in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is launching a service that competes with the Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) Street View service called Microsoft StreetSide. Microsoft has cars already rolling in Europe taking photos for the service. Cars have been spotted in London and other major European cities will be covered next month. Microsoft StreetSide is already available in 56 U.S. cities and towns.

Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been fined 100,000 euros ($142,000) by France for collecting private information while grabbing pictures from the Google Street View cars. Google launched Street View in 2007, which offers panoramic views of cities and towns. The service was not well received in Europe. In 2010, Google admitted wrongdoing for accidentally picking up private unencrypted data such as passwords and e-mails through open WiFi connections. CNIL, the National Commission for Information Freedom, said that Google made a pledge to erase the private data. The fine was for “unfair collection” of information. [AFP]

The Cabinet ministers in Israel believe that Google Street View could be used for plotting terrorist attacks. Because of this, the Israeli government is now working with Google to find a safe way to implement the feature. Street View is a way to see a first-hand view of what locations around the globe look like. Google Street View is available in 27 countries. The company uses vehicles with built-in cameras to take the 3-D photos. [Huffington Post]