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# 8-Bit Google Maps and 1-Bit iPhone Photos
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/8-bit-google-maps-1-bit-iphone-photos/
- Published: 2012-04-04T14:48:43.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:48:56.000Z
- Description: The recent 8-bit Google Map April Fools joke and 1-bit iPhone camera app are the latest in our love of retro trends.
- Author: AX Mina
- Tags: Opinion, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 06:51 (2012, 2013, part 1)

![A screenshot of an 8-bit rendering of the New York City area.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/04/8bitgooglemaps.png)

A screenshot of an 8-bit rendering of the New York City area.

LOS ANGELES — With the march of new features and enhancements, it’s funny to me that we’re also seeing a wave of retro-inspired software. I recently [looked at iOS 86](../49397/surveying-arts-residencies-part-1/), a proposed retrofit of Apple’s classic OS onto its shiny iPhone.

Recently, I came across the [8-bit Google Maps](http://maps.google.com/?t=8&ref=hyperallergic.com), which is basically what it sounds like. An elaborate April Fools joke, the map system turns our streets and forests into a land reminiscent of Super Mario or Zelda. When I zoomed in on Eighth Avenue in New York City, I even found a few characters floating around near the Meatpacking District.

Here’s what Tatsuo Nomura, a software engineer for Google Maps, [had to say](http://google-latlong.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/begin-your-quest-with-google-maps-8-bit.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) about the new release:

> As the first NES cartridge to be released in nearly 18 years, we’re working hard to make Google Maps 8-bit for NES available in the Google Store as soon as possible. A mobile version for Game Boy is also under development.

![Why do you need a 1-bit camera? To take pictures of your cats, of course. Image via http://lindecrantz.com/onebitcamera.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/04/onebitux2.gif)

Why do you need a 1-bit camera? To take pictures of your cats, of course. (image via lindecrantz.com/onebitcamera)

And if 8 bits are too many, there’s also the [1-bit camera](http://lindecrantz.com/onebitcamera/?ref=hyperallergic.com) by David Lindecrantz. For those of you craving more retro goodness in your life, you can now take pictures of your cats, your friends and yourself in 1-bit goodness. There in fact was a time when this was possible, with the [Game Boy Camera](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game%5FBoy%5FCamera?ref=hyperallergic.com), and now it’s being revived in a popular [Tumblr.](http://onebitcamera.tumblr.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com)

What’s interesting about these retro trends is that they largely exist as thought exercises (though the 1-bit camera is indeed available in the Apple Store for 99 cents). Few people would actually want to live with an 8-bit rendering of their hometown, but it sure is fun to imagine.

Also of interest, an [8-bit Google Map Easter Egg tumblelog](http://gmaps8biteastereggs.tumblr.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com). There’s nothing like seeing Minneapolis’ [Claes Oldenburg](http://gmaps8biteastereggs.tumblr.com/post/20282856767/spoon-cherry-sculpture-minneapolis?ref=hyperallergic.com#notes) sculpture and in LA’s [Eames House](http://gmaps8biteastereggs.tumblr.com/post/20284029401/case-study-house-no-8-los-angeles?ref=hyperallergic.com) in 8-bit.