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CNET Editors' note: The 556K 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.
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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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,722 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 52 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Google earth is great to see where to go"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
Good coverage of the places on earth where I want to go
Cons
I have problems with the area where I live beacuse there was cloud coverage when the photographing of the are was done so not a lot of detail can be seen, my own house is not visable which is problematic when I am trying to direct people to our home in the country.
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"Not As Good As A Globe"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
Nice Graphics
Cons
When looking at a global view of the earth, country names are not visible (as they are on a globe). It is necessary to zoom in until the country is quite large on the screen before getting a country name. At that resolution it is impossible to see the relative positions of different countries. Also Google Earth has never been good at identifying rivers or mountain ranges. So for looking at the earth the way a globe can, a globe works better.
Summary
For such an amazing technical achievement, Google Earth is remarkably poor at showing country names, as well as at identifying rivers and mountain ranges.
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"I have seen places I have never visited"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
Educational
Cons
Still some areas like Graveyards not in sufficient detail
Summary
I use it regularly to see locations where my new friends live.
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"Excellent source of information and entertainment"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
depth of information and expandability
Cons
None of substance though I would like to access it with my Google TV
Summary
I like it !
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"Excellent software"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
Maps useful for traveling & directions
Cons
None so far.
Summary
Excellente software
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"Old pictures from several years back!!!"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
None way out of date !!!!
Cons
everything they need to up date there site
Summary
Wouldn't recommend this to a *******,they wouldn't find there way from Mexico to America with the lame pictures showing..
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"Great to view the earth"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
pretty easy to use but can get confusing sometimes
Cons
too many options and can get confusing to use
Summary
Excellent product
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"Absolutely love it!!"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
Easy to use, wonderful to view!
Cons
Can't think of any.
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"Download errors"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
Old version was enjoyable
Cons
Had trouble getting to ground level view of places I went to see.
Summary
Every time I try to download Google Earth I get an error message: err 0X80404002.
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"this is a great app"
Version: Google Earth 6.1.0.5001
Pros
it shows unbelievers that the world is indeed rounbd
Cons
none that I know of
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