It’s official, Google Earth is here. Google calls it “A 3D interface to the planet.” Now tell me that search isn’t the new GUI…. you have to download an app, but it integrates all manner of stuff. Except, of course, the Mac.
Release in extended entry. From it:
Key features of Google Earth include:
· Free software download available at http://earth.google.com
· 3D buildings in major cities across the United States
· 3D terrain showing mountains, valleys, and canyons around the world
· Integrated Google Local search to find local information such as
hotels, restaurants, schools, parks, and transportation
· Fast, dynamic navigation
· Video playback of driving directions
· Tilt, rotate, and activate 3D terrain and buildings for a different
perspective on a location
· Easy creation and sharing of annotations among users
Update: Google Earth is at capacity….as Andy notes…
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Google Earth Offers New Local Search Experience
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – June 28, 2005 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG)
today announced the launch of Google Earth, Google’s new satellite
imagery-based mapping product that combines 3D buildings and terrain
with mapping capability and Google search. Based on Keyhole technology,
Google Earth enables users to fly from space to street level views to
find geographic information and explore places around the world.
Key features of Google Earth include:
· Free software download available at http://earth.google.com
· 3D buildings in major cities across the United States
· 3D terrain showing mountains, valleys, and canyons around the world
· Integrated Google Local search to find local information such as
hotels, restaurants, schools, parks, and transportation
· Fast, dynamic navigation
· Video playback of driving directions
· Tilt, rotate, and activate 3D terrain and buildings for a different
perspective on a location
· Easy creation and sharing of annotations among users
“Google Earth utilizes broadband streaming technology and 3D graphics,
much like a videogame, enabling users to interactively explore the
world– either their own neighborhood or the far corners of the globe,”
said John Hanke, general manager, Keyhole, Google Inc. “With many ways
to access geographic information, Google provides a very rich local
search experience for users worldwide.”
Google Earth is the latest innovation within Google’s local search
product suite, which currently includes Google Local and Google Maps
for web users and mobile phone users. With Google Earth, users have
the tools to dive deeper into local information, whether they’re
exploring a vacation destination or researching a new home or
apartment. They can combine multiple layers of information, such as
cross-referencing school districts with address look-ups of available
homes, business listings and public transportation, and save their
results for later use.
For users interested in more advanced mapping capabilities, Google
Earth Plus ($20/year) offers additional features including GPS
compatibility, data import, and annotation. Google Earth Pro
($400/year), for commercial use, offers high-resolution printing and
GIS data import capabilities.
Google Local
Google Local at http://local.google.com helps users locate businesses
in a specific geographic location. Google Local offers comprehensive
local information including business listings, reviews and related Web
pages.
Google Maps
Google Maps at http://maps.google.com, is a browser-based online
mapping service that enables users to find location information,
navigate through maps, and get directions quickly and easily. The
service features results from Google Local to offer users access to
traditional business listings combined with relevant information from
Google’s 8 billion page web index.
Google Local for mobile phones
Google Local is also available for XHTML-enabled mobile phones. When
users visit http://mobile.google.com/local from their phones, they can
type a query such as [wifi hotspot] in the ‘What’ search box and
[10019] in the ‘Where’ search box to receive Google Local results of
wifi hotspots in New York City. Available in the U.S. and Canada only,
this service enables users to find business listings and driving
directions, view an area using Google Maps with zooming capabilities,
and click-to-call. Users may also use Google SMS to receive Google
Local results via a text message.
Except, of course, the Mac.
I think you mean “Except, of course, anything but Windows.” I’m a Linux user and there’s no love for me, either. Nor *BSD, Solaris, or anyone else.
Maybe they should add the Henry Ford-esque tagline, “Works with any OS, as long as it’s Windows.”
*sigh*
John,
well google obviously thinks Paris is an ‘exotic’ place. i’m sure the parisiens will be delighted to hear. but taking into account that paris is ‘exotic’, it’s no wonder ‘munich, germany’ cannot be found. infact, google earth doesn’t find a lot of cities that aren’t in the usa. and of course, there’s no information about bars, atms or suchlike – not even for the exotic Paris.
seems like googles view of the ‘planet’ is a little limited.
if ‘search’ is the new ui, google earth is no indication of that.
WM_MY0.02$
thomas woelfer
It does not work on Macs.
j
Funny thing is, i used the GOOGLE CACHE to get the download when i noticed they werent offering it.
No there is a working beta Version für mac! look @ google earth