CNET Editors' review
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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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,722 votes
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Current version:
4.2 starsout of 258 votes
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My rating:
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"realy i love it !!!!!! that its a very importinted site"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
realy i love it !!!!!!.
that its a very importinted site . about rearth view love himCons
love u very much
Summary
love very much All submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submissionAll submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsi
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"Look great on the move"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
veary fast to set up
Cons
havent got to use yet
Summary
dont know yet eather way
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"i would like map location"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
i would like map location
Cons
i would like map location
Summary
i would like map location
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"great map to see existing site & building conditions"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
the three dimensional views
Cons
does not give all street names
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"quite helpful and educational"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
informative
Cons
difficult to download if using slow computer
Summary
As a whole,its kind of a world tour without leaving my computer
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"magnifacation could ge a bit more focused and stronger."
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
you can look at what ya want.
Cons
Magniiacion and focus
Summary
it works quite well.
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"Cemeteries are no longer visible."
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
I think the product is great.
Cons
Too many pictures submitted by people cluttering up the maps.
Summary
I record cemeteries (for free) to help people find their ancestors.and I donate the results to a free genealogical website. Google Earth was a source where I could find the various cemeteries and plot them on a map for later recording. This data is no longer available, making my job a lot more difficult. Why were they removed? Will they ever return?
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"I do work daily with my car to help my client`s needs"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
Pros
I use to travel from location to other through the day then come back late to my home
Cons
to help me looking all over the globe
Summary
always Iam in good knloedge infront of my collegues and friends . I my self more motivatated to the world of today technology . so this product get me live alive any where , any time , so I do love to work with daily
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"Good, but not complete, some streets are not found yet"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
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"Thank GOD for Download.com!!"
Version: Google Earth 4.2
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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