Google Earth Launching For Free
Nathan Weinberg writes "Google launches Keyhole 3 today, rebranded Google Earth, and are dumping the subscription rate (except for a $20/year "plus" versions with prettier pictures) available soon at earth.google.com. The program lets you fly around a 3D globe, with overhead satellite photos, tilted 45-degree photos, 3D rendered buildings, and overlays that display everything from roads to hotels to bike routes. I have a lot of info and screenshots at InsideGoogle, and Search Engine Watch has a big writeup. With yesterday's Google Video release, this is shaping up to be a major week for the search giant."
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This is the best web application I have seen for years. Now I will be able top spy on my neighbours from the other side of the house!
Q: How can Google afford to give away so much for free?
A: Volume.
You got it backwards. Google knows the penchant Windows users have for pretty pictures. That's why, all this 3D and 45degree angle jazz is for those snobbish Windows users. For us Unix and Linux people, Google will release a tool that will allow us to draw our own buildings on Earth. I say that will kick ass!
Free XBox, PS2
I have been unable to find examples of 3D buildings - anyone else have luck?
My town is littered with them. In fact, I'm sitting in one right now. They should be pretty easy to spot; a good rule of thumb is that if something is tall enough to trip over, it's 3D.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
Yeah! How dumb can Google be? The first day they offer their beta service, and what do they go for first? Windows! Go figure! They're not going to make any money with THAT kind of thinking! Everybody KNOWS it's the Linux community which is the one to go to when you are a for-profit entity.
Mod down people who tell people how to mod in their sigs
Ask- no, DEMAND- for your money back.