And I figure that the pattern of streets in the image is as unique as a fingerprint, so no matter how much else I redact, an automated pattern-matching search of Google maps would find me without much trouble. My risk-benefit analysis concluded that I shouldn't make it easy, but there's no point going to insane lengths. The kind of people who have the resources to pattern-match global satellite imagery have other ways to find me if they really want me.

Speaking of Google, having an Android device revealed why their StreetView cars were collecting wi-fi network info. What they've done is build a database of wifi networks, indexed by the underlying unique serial # embedded by the manufacturer and broadcast with the packets, and containing the precise coordinates of the wifi router. Android devices are then able to enhance the accuracy of GPS, or substitute for it when it's weak, by listening for wifi signals in the vicinity, getting their geographic coordinates from Google, and triangulating based on signal strength. Google has its very own alternate GPS system in densely-packed urban areas.

I do find it a little disturbing that Google is embedded so deeply into my Android tablet. Google provides a lot of cloud-based services for Android devices: Calendars, document editing and storage, email, and on and on. And of course they run the Android app store, so they heavily influence what you can install on an Android. Though they don't control it the way Apple does its apps--you can download Android apps from many places besides Google. Android's a lot more open and transparent than Apple's devices, but it's not everything I'd like in a truly open device.