Google Maps includes swimming distance
Elinor Mills Former Staff Writer
Elinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service and the Associated Press.
The folks at Google definitely have a sense of humor. Directions on Google Maps from New York City to Paris starts out innocently enough with "Head southwest on Broadway toward Warren St." But once you get on the Massachusetts Turnpike and take a few turns things get a little fishy:
"Turn right at Long Wharf" and then "Swim across the Atlantic Ocean, 3,462 miles, 29 days, 0 hours."
Sure enough, the map shows the route crossing the sea.
Asked for comment on the cross-Atlantic directions, Google spokeswoman Megan Quinn said: "It's a whimsical direction given that cars can't drive on water."
At least for now they can't.