Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: The 1MB downloadable file is a stub installer from Google that requires you to stay online during installation and download the full Google Earth program via the Google Updater.
CNET Editors' review
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.
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.
Version 5.0 introduces oceans and Martian landscapes.
What's new in this version:
- Improved Startup Time. The improvement is most noticeable when users launch the Earth application multiple times.
- Improved overall rendering performance. Changes include faster atmosphere rendering and using compressed textures whenever possible.
- Improved Road rendering Performance: Frame rate at places with dense road networks is three times faster than in previous releases.
- Improved memory utilization in the application.
- Significantly smoother frame... See all new features
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,784 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 113 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Amazing for a free product. Nothing else like it!"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
Vast amount of information easily accessible. Easy to navigate. Cool Moon and Mars models available too
Cons
Sometimes it freezes up, especially on the Moon model. Also takes up a lot of memory.
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"Fantastic resource"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
Really good definition on the photography, easy to use options
Cons
The graphics are very limited. Need to be more flexible.
Summary
Plotting GPS downloads for tacks in remote areas, zooming to focus on problem areas and incredible clarity help me point out potential hazard areas to employers
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"I love it ***"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
I love it...
Cons
None........
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"I Googled the front door of our Palazzo, Budapest, XI."
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
Google 5.1 is a great way to learn about our planet and the Universe we live in. It is designed to be expandable and gaps will be filled out as people get to know the new features of the product: the ability to upload, integration with WiKi, flying.
Cons
One wishes for more terrain detail. The actual Flora and Fauna of particular areas come accross very well on good photograps. If more Mobile telephone/camera film footage of the tree and foliage was included we could track each tree in the forest!
Summary
The Google team has a great way of looking at our planet, and having looked at two areas, where I currently live, and where I was born, and where I grew up, the accuracy is good. London, and Budapest, however, are well built up areas, and there is plenty of greenery around at both places. When we Google other parts of the planet, we can see that a lot more living soil needs to be manufactured and spread out the right way to green out the parts that could produce a variety of food.
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"generally an excellent product"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
ease of viewing with the "fly to" facility
Cons
I find the lower angle view loses relationship with the vertical view
Summary
In general Google Earth is a very useful tool for orienting one to different areas of the world.The ability to display places of interest, photos of the area, and street names is excellent.
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"THE WHOLE WORLD IN MY COMPUTER!!"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
Had not been able to download this previously, as had dial-up connection. I am pleased to the nth degree, as was able to locate a cousin's house all the way in Southampton, Great Britain, and she was able to find my house as well.
Cons
So far, none to speak of.
Summary
Do not know ALL the ins and outs of this download as yet. However, do look forward to learning and exploring. Great product!
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"Very fun program"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
Has improved a lot.
Cons
Was hard to repeat a search. Had to re-save finds several times. Couldn't make the three d work as well as it should.
Summary
Still needs a lot of work to live up to it's predicted possibilities.
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"I LOVE IT!"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
Fantastic for finding locations; photo feature helps in identifying buildings and landmarks to aid in navigation; fantastic for a tourist looking to get from point A to point B; 3-D features impressive
Cons
The photo feature is a little rough in the 3-D department... but that is so insignificant compared to all the wonderful features included.
Summary
This is better than a video game! I love it because it is a way to "travel" to places I've been or places I want to go to. Also, for local use, it helps in finding where I need to go-better than any map available for my area. The photos added of locations by users makes the product even better... and ALL of this is free!
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"Takes me where I want to go."
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
Great, enjoying my world
Cons
So far, none
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"Not compatible with Window's7, 64bit"
Version: Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731
Pros
I can not give a good grade to this version of Google Earth
Cons
Google Earth Version 5.1.3533.1731 Is not compatible with Microsoft Windows 7,64bit program will uninstall it's self from computer
Summary
Google Earth is a great program and I use it more now then ever. My reason Iceland's volcano.
Google Earth v.5.2.0.5920 is the current version that is working correctly with my computer.H.P.Pavilion Windows 7 64bit Home Premium
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