Roundabout cam, Purmerend
When boffins from Dutch software firm Archie installed a webcam on the office roof to test their technology, they knew not what they birthed. Now the camera’s unstinting focus, Gorsstraat roundabout in the city of Pumerend (just north of Amsterdam), has a loyal following, with up to 3,500 people watching drivers navigate the rotunda on a daily basis. The live feed, which began some 18 months ago, became a veritable internet sensation when its location was identified by Reddit users, leading to visits from graffiti artists, a wizard, and other Dutch pilgrims. What makes it so fascinating? Your guess is as good as ours.
Tram cam, Prague
This 50-year-old Czech tram – Tatra T3 No 5572, to be precise – has gone through many reincarnations during its lifetime: from passenger tram to cargo transporter to snow plough. Now, though, it’s found a higher purpose: keeping the tramrails of Prague lubricated to ensure passengers on its fellow trams enjoy a smooth ride, and becoming a star of the internet to boot! Each month, this tram racks up 3,700 miles around the capital city – and you can ride with it all the way, courtesy of its live rooftop webcam.
Air pollution cam, China-US
China’s air pollution issues are common knowledge. If you want to witness the extent of the problem for yourself on any given day (or night) – and also make an instant comparison with cities in the United States – then check out the China Air Daily website. Not only does it live-stream three major Chinese cities – Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou – it also covers New York City and Phoenix, as well as providing loads of comparative air quality data.
Abbey Road crossing cam, London
Ardent Beatles fans with too much time on their hands need look no further. “Crossing Cam” live-streams all the action from the legendary Abbey Road zebra crossing in London’s St John’s Wood. Watch black cabs, cyclists and double-decker buses go about their daily business – plus the occasional Fab Four-inspired group recreating that 1969 album cover wearing everything from colourful suits to a yellow submarine. You can search back for the moment you stepped across those hallowed stripes yourself, and download the app so you never miss a thing!
Desperate Dan cam, Dundee
When the City of Dundee council first launched its multi-view live webcam – with controllable rotation and zoomability, no less – some concerns emerged about it encouraging unwanted peepers and nosey so-and-sos. Despite this, the webcam has proved popular with users wishing to see what’s going on in the city’s main square. This may have something to do with the fact that the options include a view of larger-than-life comic hero Desperate Dan – the statue, that is, erected in honour of The Dandy’s publisher, DC Thomson, which is based in the city on Scotland’s east coast.
New NY Bridge cam, New York
The Tappan Zee Bridge in New York is being replaced in a massive $3.98 billion infrastructure programme – and that’s right, this mega-upgrade can unfold right before your eyes, courtesy of the New NY Bridge webcam. Watch as the fledgling twin-span cable stay bridge extends (slowly) over the Hudson river between Westchester and Rockland, courtesy of 1,000 steel support pilings and 300,000 cubic yards of concrete. Set to be completed in 2018, there are five vantage points from which to virtually watch the new bridge grow.
Couv cam, Vancouver
The live webcam stream from Vancouver City Hall offers a range of impressive views: the beautiful Mount Hood, Columbia River Waterfront, and the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. There’s also another stream from the city’s Esther Short Park – plus the beguiling promise that “occasionally [the webcam] will be pointed at other places when there’s something interesting to see”. For impatient souls, the website also shows off still images of the camera’s “greatest hits”, which include a rainbow over the Columbia River and a bald eagle.
Puddle cam, Newcastle
Captivating audiences during its all-too-brief six hours of fame, this humble puddle in the Newcastle suburb of Jesmond proved an unlikely triumph for live-streaming app Periscope. Filmed by a mobile phone stuck to the window of marketing agency Drummond Central, at its peak this puddle stream kept more than 19,000 viewers on tenterhooks, as brave locals first attempted to navigate the awkwardly located obstacle – and then started blatantly showing off in it. Around 17,000 people were still watching the proceedings when the live stream came to an end.
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