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Google Earth Gets a New Home On the Web (arstechnica.com)

Posted by msmash on from the interesting-updates dept.

To celebrate the Earth Day, Google says it is rolling out what was a two-year in the making major update to Google Earth. From a report: V9 is designed to run in a Web browser (just Chrome for now), but there's now a standalone home for Google Earth. The Android app has been updated, too (iOS is coming soon). Version 9 puts a big focus on guided tours via the "Voyager" section, which serves as a jumping off point for YouTube videos, 360-degree content, Street View, and Google Earth landmarks. The tours are led by scientists and documentarians, with some content produced by well-known groups like the BBC's Planet Earth team. For kids, there's a Sesame Street muppet section.

8 of 46 comments (clear)

  1. Nice, but what we need is an updated client by kriston · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Nice, but what we need is an updated client so we can use KML and turn off the "photorealistic" fake 3D buildings and trees (turning on "2D" still uses the fake renderings in the web client).

    We also need the glassy-smooth animation and smooth scrolly-wheel zooming which this web clien't can't seem to handle.

    --

    Kriston

    1. Re:Nice, but what we need is an updated client by ACalcutt · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I agree. KML support is lacking in this. I have some huge kmz files (like this one https://live.wifidb.net/wifidb... ) and files with a lot of network links (like this one https://live.wifidb.net/wifidb... ) and neither of them work in this (the large file somewhat works). Its almost as bad as the mobile version of google earth. I'd love to see a 64bit version of the old desktop client...this new web version is junk

    2. Re:Nice, but what we need is an updated client by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      "Aw snap! The new Google Earth isn't supported by your browser yet. Try this link in Chrome instead. If you don't have Chrome installed, download it here."

      Yay? [Goes back to non-web/desktop v.7 client that supports KML]

      I do appreciate that Google is providing all of this for "free" (ad-supported), though.

  2. Instructions not clear by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 4, Funny

    Version 9 puts a big focus on guided tours via the "Voyager" section

    Instructions not clear, stuck in the Delta Quadrant.

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
  3. The Chrome-only web arises! Thanks, Firefox. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This version is again designed to run in a Web browser (just Chrome for now)

    Targeting Chrome as the only supported browser has become possible thanks to Firefox's decreasing market share. It's now down to about 5% or 6%, across all versions and all platforms. It has no mobile presence of any substance (0.03%).

    Targeting only Chrome really wasn't feasible back when Firefox had 30% or more of the browser market. But thanks to one unwanted chaneg after another, users have fled Firefox and moved to Chrome instead. Now Chrome has 50% or more of the browser market, including a significant share of the mobile market.

    I think we're just going to see more of this happening. It'll be like the "Best Viewed With Netscape Navigator" and "Best Viewed With Internet Explorer" days of the 1990s, except there won't be an alternative. There will only be, "Viewed Only With Chrome". As more and more sites require Chrome, even fewer people will have a reason to use Firefox. Firefox's already small usage share will continue to drop, perhaps even until it effectively reaches 0% of the market.

    The saddest part is that it really didn't need to be like this. Firefox was a major player at one time. People liked using it, more than they liked using Chrome. But then the Firefox devs had to throw it all away! It hasn't just hurt their product; it has hurt the web as a whole.

  4. Live Clouds by Thelasko · · Score: 2

    Last time I used the satellite view I noticed the cloud cover appeared to be updated in real time. Has anyone else noticed this?

    --
    One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
  5. Muppets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "For kids, there's a Sesame Street muppet section."

    Ok. Raise your hand if you are a non-kid and went straight to the Sesame Street Muppet section.

  6. Sales message for the invasive Chrome browser? by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 4, Informative
    Visit the new Google Earth in Firefox and you will see:

    Aw snap! The new Google Earth isn't supported by your browser yet.
    Try this link in Chrome instead. If you don't have Chrome installed, download it here.

    Google's Chrome browser installs system services. If you are operating as a limited user, Google has more control over your computer than you do.