Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
It's rare to encounter free software as well designed and powerful as this informative application, but the folks at Google have done it again. When you first fire up Google Earth, you'll immediately notice that most of the interface's real estate is used to display a rendering of the globe, complete with topographical markings. You simply enter information for the location you'd like to visit--such as city name, country, or specific street address--and Google Earth will begin slowly zooming in on your destination. After a moment, you'll see a satellite image of the place you entered. Controls below the location window let you zoom in or out even further; move north, south, east, and west; and save specific locations on the map.
The program's Layers panes allows you to determine what sort of information appears on the map. For instance you can choose to display roads, hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, golf courses, bars, and even crime statistics. We also appreciate the tool that provides point-to-point driving directions. Google Earth's active user community has produced several nifty mods, including topographic and historical maps. The only potential downside to the program is that it can consume a fairly large amount of RAM when running in the background, so as the developer notes, folks with older machines might experience performance issues. But everyone else is bound to love Google Earth, either as an informational tool or an entertaining novelty.
Google Earth - View satellite pictures, maps, terrain, buildings and other global imagery - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Google:
Google Earth puts a planet's worth of imagery and other geographic information right on your desktop. View exotic locales like Maui and Paris, as well as points of interest such as local restaurants, hospitals, and schools. Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps, and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips. With Google Earth you can fly from space to your neighborhood--just type in an address and zoom right in, search for schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Get driving directions, tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain and buildings, save and share your searches and favorites and even add your own annotations.
Release 4-BETA offers integrated Google Sketchup support for 3D modeling, expanded support for user generated geographical data, and a new UI.
Note: Google Earth is a broadband, 3D application that not all computers can run. Windows-based desktop PCs older than four years may not be able to run Google Earth and Windows-based notebook PCs older than two years may not be able to run it.
More Products to Consider
-
Hear the Athan (Azan) automatically five times a day at each pr... -
Look up words in thesaurus and dictionary from almost any progr... -
View satellite pictures, maps, terrain, buildings and other glo... -
Discover how to type and improve your typing. -
View your real-time physical position on moving Google Map. -
Get reminders about prayer time. -
View, read, and convert EPub eBooks. -
Learn touch-typing with a program that dynamically adjusts trai... - Get English and Sinhala definitions with technical terms glossa...
-
Allow you to perform a live saving operation on your Windows PC... -
Read and Listen the Quran in many languages, with famous recite... -
Exercise your typing fingers with practice lessons and entertai... -
Convert ePub, HTML, XML files to PDF file. - Get an English too Bangla dictionary.
-
Calculate Muslim prayer time and Qiblah direction anywhere in t... -
Read the CBR files. -
Read King James Bible on your PC. -
Read ebooks on your Windows personal computer. -
Synchronize your brainwaves to achieve a specific mood or exper... -
Solve differential equations on your PC. - Encode several chemical similarity indices.
- Encode several chemical similarity indices.
-
Estimate toxic hazard of chemical compounds. -
Manage your eBook library and synchronize to reader devices.
-
All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,784 votes
-
Current version:
4.4 starsout of 136 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Won't even launch"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
Impossible to say since the program won't even launch on a modern Dell desktop.
Cons
You'd think by now they could make a program that would at least launch on a relatively new computer. A lot of people are having problems with Google Earth. Their tech support FAQ doesn't provide any useful help.
-
"I Use It All The Time"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
I have an online ministry called Angels From Above and I encounter people from all over the earth every day. I use this software to see what it looks like at many of the places I have never heard of. It is really cool
Cons
Not much I don't like.
-
"horray for google!"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
how does google do it? this is the professional tool that allow you to view the whole earth in detailed/accurate satellite images. great learning tools for minors. but also useful if you want to find specific place or planning a trip. able to show various of map information like roads, country/city names, streets details(like stores and hospital). geographical places, topographic and historical maps. it's like having a super professional-detailed-accurate map right in your screen. this is a must have tool for either learning or everyday map needs.
Cons
the only downside to this is because of it high requirements. it consume quite alot system resources because the map is dynamic. so some old/low-end PC will have hard time install and use this program.
-
"I can even see my car in the backyard!"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
It is totally amazing. You can go almost anywhere and see almost anything. You cana type in your address and see it. You can see the buildings and monuments only dreamed of, like a trip around the world on your monitor.
Cons
I don't have enough time to explore with this program. It's the next best thing to a real trip.
-
"I can see my house from HERE!!!!!"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
No wonder google is so popular. The best part of this is that you can look at other countries instead of U.S. Requires a good graphics card.
-
"WOW!!!!!! I Love It"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
very good
Cons
only con is it usees alot of cpu
-
"Wow!"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
Nice program. You can find places and get direction there.
-
"Dynamic!"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
This is one of the most wonderful software programs. This application amazes me.
Cons
Not a thing.
-
"Cool!"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
It's the first high resolution view of the world at your fingertips. Impressive detail and sweet and easy to use too. Changing the view angle and rotating your view gives some great perspectives on places.
-
"Outstanding"
Version: Google Earth 4 beta
Pros
I have used previous versions of google earth and what I have noticed in this one is that they have taken more care taking the satellite pictures, you can find any town or city you are looking for and in extreme detail
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
