- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Mac OS X 10.5 Intel, Mac OS X 10.4 Intel, Mac OS X 10.5 PPC, Mac OS X 10.4 PPC
- Date added: September 22, 2009
- Total Downloads: 168,196
- Downloads last week: 783
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 52 votes
See all user reviews -
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on February 02, 2009
The latest version of Google Earth continues to set the mapping paradigm. Accessible enough for casual users, Google has added features that make it a necessity for those whose topographic desires are more serious. Although Google Ocean is the big newsmaker in version 5, you can also check out the surface of our nearest neighbor, Mars, as well as incorporating historical Earth maps.
If you'll forgive the pun, the oceanic maps are pretty cool. They provide the capability to plunge to the floor of the sea, view exclusive content from the BBC and National Geographic, and explore shipwrecks like the Titanic in 3D. Exploring the Martian surface is limited to data provided from NASA, but that's not much of a limitation considering that it's unlikely that most of us will ever get to visit the Red Planet. Switching between Google Earth, Sky, and Mars can be done from the menubar or from the planet icon on the toolbar.
Most of the interface's real estate displays a rendering of the globe, which can zoom in on a satellite image of your destination once you've keyed it in. Controls live on a top toolbar and a left-side navigation window that lets you quickly jump between different views and locations. Google's Street View, real-time illumination of the Earth, roads, restaurants, and even crime statistics can be displayed. Smooth integration with Google's 3D rendering program SketchUp means that you can design buildings and see how they'd interact with their surroundings on the fly.
The only downside to the program is that it can consume a large amount of RAM, so older machines might experience performance issues, but even that can now be configured through the Options menu. 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.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.8 stars out of 52 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 5 user reviewsSee all 5 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3509.4636
"Gets better on every upgrade"
Pros: Just unbelievable at what it does and I have been in computers since 1982!
Cons: Unfortunately places like Ireland where I live, still are not in full 3D and accurate or up to date
Summary: Brilliant software and allows you to see much of the world and where anything is in the world.
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Version: Google Earth 5.1.3509.4636
Pros: Exceptional presentation with fantastic details.
Cons: None I can determine.
Summary: Exceptional!!!
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Version: Google Earth 5.1.3509.4636
Pros: What you can't find on Google Earth isn't worth finding. It replaces how many different types of old-fashioned atlases? It's easy to use, extremely interactive and a whole lot of fun, especially for those having an interest in geography.
Cons: The aerial pictures could do with more frequent updates. My daughter, who has lived in a small town in Germany for over seven years, shows her house as an empty field. The area must now have a half dozen streets and several hundred houses.
Summary: As a research tool, I find it second to none.
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Version: Google Earth 5.1.3509.4636
Pros: Better proformance
Cons: None that I can find
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Version: Google Earth 5.1.3509.4636
Pros: I have upgraded to OS 10.6.1. and it helped me to upgrade olde version, plus I got rid of programs I seldom used.
Cons: Only good comments
Summary: I recommend this product
- See all 5 user reviews Write review
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