Google released a new version of Google Earth today, just in time for Earth Day. And it is awesome! Their blog says “today we’re introducing a brand-new version of Google Earth—on the web and Android—two years in the making. (Don’t fret – IOS is coming soon.) With the new Earth, we want to open up different lenses for you to see the world and learn a bit about how it all fits together; to open your mind with new stories while giving you a new perspective on the locations and experiences you cherish. It’s everything you love about Google Earth, plus new ways for you to explore, learn and share.”
Download the app on Play store – Google Earth
Zoom in and see what adventures await you in the new Google Earth.
Google made some substantial upgrades as well as some user behavior modifications. For instance Google said, “nearly everyone who’s opened Google Earth in the last decade does the same thing first: they search for their home. Home is how we orient ourselves—it’s where we start from. Then we zoom out. We see our neighborhood, then our city, our province, our country, our continent, and eventually: our blue marble. Out in space, our planet looks impossibly small. But improbably, it’s home to all of us.
On the eve of Earth Day, I’m reminded of something I’ve learned watching people use Google Earth over the years: Home is not just how we understand our place in the world—it’s a means to connect to something bigger than ourselves.
So, what’s new? – There are 3 main areas, besides the incredible photos and graphics, that are even better. Voyager, Explore and 3D effects are the main updates. One note though, you need to have WebGL graphics acceleration in your browser. So for instance, my MacBook Pro from 2013 does not work with the recent version. You need a recent device. My Android Pixel XL runs everything though. Google says updating to all browsers will be ongoing.
Broaden your horizons with Voyager
Google joined up with some of the world’s leading storytellers, scientists and nonprofits to bring the planet to life with Voyager, a showcase of interactive guided tours.
Explore and learn about anywhere
Uncover hidden gems the world over with “I’m feeling lucky,” a new feature that takes you somewhere unexpected with the click of a button. Once you’ve landed on a point of interest, open a Knowledge Card to learn history and facts about that place and see more pictures of it. To add a dash of serendipity to your travels, flip through the stack of cards and discover related places.
Share the beauty you find
Click the new 3D button to see any place from any angle. Swoop around the Grand Canyon and see geological layers, or check out the majestic architecture and pristine grounds of the 500-year-old Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley in France.
How do they make those 3D Graphics so cool? Let Nat & Friends explain in the video below.
In this video, learn about the pixels, planes, and people that create Google Earth’s 3D imagery.
Also of note is that Google Earth is no longer a download-only program — it can now be accessed from any computer with Google Chrome installed, with support for the other big browsers coming soon. Now go check out your house.