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Sounds Bring Google Earth to Life

Posted by Zonk on from the just-avoid-the-howler-monkey-jungle dept.

Strudelkugel writes "The BBC is reporting that a Californian company has created software that can layer relevant recorded sounds over locations in Google Earth. The firm, Wild Sanctuary, has thousands of hours of recordings from all over the world. Company director Dr. Krause has spent over 40 years collecting sounds from natural and man-made habitats. '... his recordings include more than 15,000 animal noises, and sounds from a huge array of habitats, including cities, deserts, mountains and the marine environment. It is the largest library in existence of natural sound, he said. He said the idea would be to zoom-in on a particular area and then have the option to listen to the accompanying sound.'"

12 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Neat by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    No wait, the other thing - annoying.

  2. Great by Quaoar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now when my relatives use Google Earth to find my house, they'll get to listen to me on the can.

    --
    I'll form my OWN solar system! With blackjack! And hookers!
    1. Re:Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      > Now when my relatives use Google Earth to find my house, they'll get to listen to me on the can.

      But at least they'll know the answer to the question "What is the sound of one hand fapping".

      (Google Cat is listening to you masturbate.)

  3. San Fernando Valley Sounds by Solokron · · Score: 5, Funny

    Slashdot readers including myself may frequent the San Fernando Valley area for those sounds!

    --
    30% off web hosting. Coupon code "SLASHDOT".
  4. Weird by OmegaBlac · · Score: 4, Funny

    When I zoomed in over Microsoft's HQ in Redmond, Washington, I heard the sound of chairs being broken. I'm sure if I zoom in over the White House, monkey sounds will fill my speakers.

    1. Re:Weird by gujo-odori · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, the monkey sounds are in Redmond too...

    2. Re:Weird by ashitaka · · Score: 2, Funny

      There is huge potential for comedy sound layers here. To follow your example, zoom in on the building holding Steve Balmer's office and hear..

      "DEVELOPERS!, DEVELOPERS!,DEVELOPERS!, DEVELOPERS!DEVELOPERS!, DEVELOPERS!"

      --
      If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
  5. This location is copyrighted. by TheLazySci-FiAuthor · · Score: 5, Funny

    great, now I can get sued just for mousing-over the RIAA headquarters!

    Thanks a lot guys...

    --
    Read my Very Short "Stories"
  6. Hehe by bigred85 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'd pay money to zoom over a well-known cattle farm, let's say the King Ranch in Texas for instance, and hear an old, familiar sound:

    "The cow says: MOOOOOOO"

    ...Yes I'm simply amused, what of it?

  7. Memes by ross.w · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's see,

    1. We've done the toilet humour reference.
    2. We've done the Microsoft reference.
    3. We've done the George Bush reference
    .
    .
    4. Oh Yeah... Profit!!!

    --
    If my call is important, why am I talking to a recording?
  8. Some are missing by Brome · · Score: 2, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, Google Earth listens to you.

  9. Make a game of it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Just close your eyes, click, listen and guess where you clicked:

    e.g.: click!

    Mooing, oinking, a shrieking chimpanzee, baboon howls, clucking, grunting, snoring....

    The local zoo you say? Nope - Washington DC.