CNET Editors' review
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. In addition to Earth cartography, you can also check out Google Ocean, historical Earth maps, and the surface of one of our closest neighbors, Mars.
The oceanic maps 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 menu bar 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.
The only downside to the program is that it can consume a large amount of RAM, so older machines might experience performance issues. That can be configured through the Options menu, and recent updates have helped address many of these performance issues, with improvements to rendering speed, frame rate, and even launch time.
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.
What's new in this version:
- Share screenshots from your virtual exploration on Google+
- View seamless imagery of geographic landscapes all over the world
- Get improved search results and new suggestions
- Find biking and transit directions
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 88 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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"It works satisfactorily."
Version: Google Earth 6.2.0.5905
Pros
Some of the map data has been updated.
Cons
It took me a while to discover the 'map' button.
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"Really interesting soft"
Version: Google Earth 6.2.0.5905
Pros
Oceanic maps are awesome!
Many features
Absolutely freeCons
Little slow
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"broke my installation"
Version: Google Earth 6.2.0.5905
Pros
at least all my saved places are still there
Cons
no longer zooms to the place
throws up an empty white box with an arrow to where the place is
reinstall of old one doesn't help muchSummary
I'd wait on this one if you have a working Google Earth installed. They obviously need to fix some things.
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"Issue not improved since previous version."
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
Downloads and installs easily and runs without problems.
Cons
The loss of residential street level detail has not improved in this version. There is no improvement compared with the last version. The earlier versions that I installed did not have this issue.
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"Close ups are fuzzy. Earlier versions were easier."
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
It's all there.
Cons
It's not easy to see details.
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"Excellent first class product"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
The whole package is stunning.Very easy to use
Cons
I have found none
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"Excellent map"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.4738
Pros
Very good to have a prospective of whole world and many stars / space
Cons
The best map ever have be done .
Summary
Just perfect
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"The software downloads and works without difficulty."
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.4738
Pros
The new Google Earth may work more quickly than earlier versions.
Cons
I was searching for street views in the US as I have done with previous
Google Earth beta versions. I was disappointed to discover that I could
not see street views as before. I saw cartoon illustrations indicating businesses near the ZIP code I had chosen. UK street views seem to work as well as in previous versions -
"Top notch as usual"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.4738
Pros
excellent piece of software, better than before for clarity
Cons
Cannot find any faults as yet
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"Excellent version"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.4738
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
No real drawback and it's still free
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