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3D Helicopter View Added To Google Maps

Posted by Soulskill on from the merging-the-flight-sims-and-directions dept.

Zothecula writes "Those not content with getting a 2D top-down or 360-degree street level view of a planned route using Google Maps can now enjoy a virtual flight over the route thanks to Google adding a new Helicopter View. The new feature, which currently only works in a full browser and requires the Google Earth plugin, lets users see 3D view, and should come in particularly handy for walkers or bike riders looking for a more intuitive view of potentially tiring hills."

2 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. Linux Users Not Invited by Psion · · Score: 4, Informative

    Unfortunately, the plugin only supportes Mac and Windows. C'mon, Google!

  2. You don't have to run it in a browser by Animats · · Score: 3, Informative

    Google Earth is really a standalone Windows application. (Remember those?) Google didn't develop it; it was from a company called Keyhole, which sold it as a service for years before Google bought them out. I had a Keyhole account back in 2003. NVidia had a promotional deal; it was cheaper with an NVidia card.

    You could fly along a route in Keyhole, so a "helicopter view" isn't exactly new.