People often forget that Google has two maps made for viewing the earth. One is Google Maps which you’ve come across in a dozen or so apps excluding the Google Maps app itself. The other is an app that’s, for the most part, forgotten by everyone: Google Earth.
Google Earth has always been a clunky app; unlike Google Maps, it could only be accessed through a standalone desktop or mobile app, instead of via a browser. Thankfully, the latest update (which is the first major update in two years), addresses that issue; you can now load in Google Earth in Google Chrome.
Next is the big addition. The update introduces 3D maps for select locations around the world, letting you zoom in and pan the camera around for viewing distant locations with greater detail that normal satellite imagery. You can even share a postcard of the place you’re viewing.
A new Voyager section has also been added, letting users take interactive guided tours which include street view imagery and 360-degree video. Currently, there are 50 such Voyager tours available, with more to be added every week.
Furthermore, 20,000 points of interest are placed around the map and now have Knowledge Cards loaded with interesting tidbits and lore about the places you’re exploring virtually.
You can now get Google Earth on the web via Chrome; on Android as it rolls out this week; and on iOS and other browsers in the near future. Of course, you can still access and download Google Earth 7 for the desktop.
Source: Google
