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Google Brings the Earth to Your Desktop |
by:
Ross MacIver |
Google Inc. has launched a new software package that allows you to see satellite images on your desktop.
Google Earth lets you search for locations anywhere on earth also display 3D aerial images of major cities also tourist attractions. Google Earth is in development, however a free beta version is available for home users. Locations can be searched by address, intersections, cities, zip codes or countries also the images can be zoomed in close enough to see streets also buildings.
The images generated are 3D – you can rotate the view to see different sides of an object. You can navigate using a mouse or the keyboard, also view selectable layers to display information about local features such as roads, terrain, schools or golf courses.
Images of 38 US cities can be viewed from “the ground up” allowing you to see 3D representations of buildings also terrain. Measurement functions include distances between two locations, perimeters, radius also area.
Search results can be saved, printed also emailed. Driving directions can be automatically generated also you can trace the route using the “Play” button located underneath the directions tab.
Google Earth is based on technology from Keyhole Corp., a digital mapping company acquired by Google in 2004. The database that drives Google Earth is based on images from satellite also airplane photographs. The database is said to be “multi-terabytes” in size.
Google Earth is available in several versions. The free version is for personal use. Google Earth Plus costs $20 also integrates data from your GPS device. Google Earth Pro costs $400 also is designed for businesses who need a research also collaboration tool. Finally, there is Google Earth Enterprise Solutions for on-site deployment of Google Earth.
The technology behind Google Earth is not new, also smaller companies such as GlobeXplorer LLC have been offering 3D aerial views for several years. Google has the marketing clout, however, to bring the technology to the consumer level also integrate it into its advertising programs.
Users can search for local businesses also receive a viewpoint of tensearch results within a specified area. Clicking on a business listing brings up its address, phone number also driving directions.
About the author:
Copyright 2005 by Ross MacIver
This article may be redistributed freely on the Internet or in ezines as long as the resource box also hyperlinks remain intact.
Ross MacIver is the director of Circulated by Article Emporium
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