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- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: August 22, 2007
- Total Downloads: 4,088,850
- Downloads last week: 92,027
- See full specifications
A newer version of Google Earth is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1179 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
The latest version of Google Earth makes it, indubitably, the only free mapping app worth considering. Accessible enough for casual users, Google has been added features that make it a necessity for those whose topographic desires are more serious.
Most of the interface's real estate displays a rendering of the globe, which slowly zooms in on a satellite image of your destination once you've keyed it in. The control panel has changed and is now translucent and sits unobtrusively in a corner of the map. The new diagonal movement control and flexible north anchor, so you can re-orient the map, are useful additions.
The Layers, Places and Search panes are now a left-side navigation bar, and have more options for determining what information appears on the map. Everything from roads and restaurants to crime statistics can be displayed; subcategories and individual items can be unchecked to show only what you need. Google's driving directions are incorporated, and the user community has produced several nifty mods, including historical maps. There's also integration with Google's 3-D rendering program SketchUp, so you can design a building and see it in a real-life setting.
The only downside to the program is that it can consume a large amount of RAM, so as the developer notes, older machines might experience performance issues. But everyone else is bound to love Google Earth, both as an entertaining novelty and an informational tool.
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.
Version 4.2 adds the Sky in Google Earth feature, which lets you view millions of stars and galaxies.
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.
What's new in this version:
Version 4.2 adds a Sky in Google Earth feature, which lets you view millions of stars and galaxies.
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User reviews of Google Earth 4.2
- Average user rating: 4.1 stars out of 1179 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 198 user reviewsSee all 198 user reviews
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2 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros: view the world from your desktop
Cons: good computer and fast connection is a must
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros: one can see almost any part of the world. It would be nice if date of the view were provided.
Cons: Still a lot of fuzzy areas but that should change as they get more views there is a lot of data still to get.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Earth 4.2
"Thank GOD for Download.com!!"
Pros: I have used this before, and it's the best map program I've seen - and that includes ones you pay for.
Cons: I've tried NUMEROUS times to download this from the "official" website, and I don't even get a download window. If it weren't for Download.com, I'd have to live without it since Google.com doesn't offer any assistance that I can find.
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1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros: .... available from google, http :// earth.google. com/download-earth .html
Cnet slacking again!
Improving all the time in many parts of the developed 'western' world, but many of the less populous areas in those parts of the world are still not that clear, places that are fun to see where you've hiked or whatever, these places are less likely to be invasive of people's privacy too, wonder why they're ignored more by google earth?! Getting more updated photos on a more regular basis here, can see how the numerous housing developments around my home in inner London are progressing!
Cons: I'd hate to be one of those people who's privacy is ignored by google, so many of the rest of us able to pry into their homes/lives! Many parts of the globe are such fuzzy quality still
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Earth 4.2
"Excellent program and it's free......"
Pros: The best of it's kind.
- See all 198 user reviews Write review
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