Google has released a major overhaul for Google Street View, delivering new functionality that makes the service easier and more friendly to use.

The new Street View revolves around “Pegman” a Clippy like character that users can drag and drop anywhere to view Street View. Better still, users can hold Pegman over a location for a second to see a preview of what the Street View image looks like before deciding on the full shot.

Street View also goes big screen with an inset map, allowing for better viewing of images, and quicker switching, per the screenshot above.

Directions are now offered in Street View for the first time: users can plot where they want to go, and walk through the route visual on Street View.

The changes aren’t perhaps amazing, but they are very nice. Video demo follows: