CNET Editors' note: The "Download Now" link directs you to the iTunes App Store, where you must continue the download process. You must have iTunes installed in order to open the link, and you must have an active iTunes account to download the application. This download may not be available in some countries.
CNET Editors' review
Despite the potential limitations of the device, the iPhone version keeps up with the performance, features, and usability of Google Earth for desktops. At least, it does while you're using a Wi-Fi network connection. For example, your view of the world starts looking straight down, but you can tilt the view so terrain contours are visible, and generating that variable perspective takes some significant processing.
The iPhone's multitouch screen actually makes using the application easier than the desktop versions. Dragging a fingertip across the screen slides the view appropriately, of course. Two-finger pinch gestures not only zoom in and out, but also, by adding a little twirling rotary motion, steer the view's orientation in one direction or another. When the iPhone is tilted a certain angle out of horizontal, Google Earth reads data from the phone's accelerometer and adjusts your view accordingly, so you can look up into the sky. And it's integrated with the iPhone's capability to locate itself through GPS, Wi-Fi networks, and mobile phone towers. There's even a two-finger drag to tilt the perspective back--flight-simulator gamers might think of pulling the stick back to lift the nose of a virtual airplane--and that you also can zoom in and out with single-finger and two-finger double-tapping, respectively.
One of the few deficiencies of the iPhone version is that it doesn't show all the layers of information that appear in the desktop edition. Nevertheless, the features are impressive, the functionality level is high, and the application is free: Google Earth for the iPhone is a must-grab.
Publisher's Description
From Google:
Google Earth lets people virtually fly around a 3D view of the world made from satellite and aerial imagery mapped onto the planet's mountains and valleys. The iPhone version reproduces this core experience, downloading imagery from Google's servers as the perspective shifts and dotting the map with landmarks, photos, and other information. iPhone's multitouch screen actually made using the application easy. Dragging a fingertip across the screen slides the view appropriately, of course. Two-finger pinch gestures not only zoom in and out, but also, by adding a little twirling rotary motion, steer the view's orientation in one direction or another.
What's new in this version: Version 3.2 improved performance and include bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 5 votes
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"Ancient info"
Version: Google Earth for iPhone 3.0
Pros
I like the thought of being able to view areas, topography, etc.
Cons
The information contained in Google Earth for Iphone is outdated. Although it's dated 2010, which maybe it is in some places, but it's not current for my location outside Washington DC, near Annapolis, in the Maryland 'burbs.
Summary
It's not up-to-date. For some reason I expect the images to be current, or at least changed in the past year. (Actually, I'd like real time, but...) Each time I've pulled up my location, hoping for something new, it still shows a view from over 3 years ago. There are items in my and my neighbor's backyards, along with a former neighbor's car, that haven't been there in that time. It's not like I live in the deepest part of the Amazon. This lets me know other places I'm viewing probably aren't up-to-date, either.
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"Nice and useless app"
Version: Google Earth for iPhone 3.0
Pros
it has wow factor when I need to impress somebody with iphone features
Cons
I am not using it at all (other than mentioned above) because I do not see any point in it
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"Not bad but not good either"
Version: Google Earth for iPhone 1.0.1
Pros
I don't know!
Cons
I can hardly find my self around with this app. It's much worse than the one for the computer!
Summary
Not much to say, it isn't really great unlike the computer platformed one which was revolutionary.
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"its very good!!"
Version: Google Earth for iPhone 1.0
Pros
To know where are the right place are.
Cons
i do not tested it yet.
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"jeanclaude"
Version: Google Earth for iPhone 1.0
Pros
utility and pleasure
Cons
i do not know yet
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