Google Earth turns 20 and allows you to view historical Street View images
To mark its 20th anniversary, Google is also introducing a look back in time in Google Earth. This allows history to be viewed from a different perspective.
(Image: Google)
Google Earth was launched 20 years ago and to mark the anniversary, Google is giving users a glimpse into the past. Now that historical Street View images are already available in Google Maps, they have also been integrated into Google Earth. According to the data company, this allows users to follow developments in cities from a different perspective.
In a review of the years since the introduction of Google Earth, Google writes on its blog that Google Earth was downloaded 100 million times in 2005 in the first week of its availability alone. The company does not go into current user data, but claims that users searched for locations in Google Earth more than 2 billion times last year.
Google Earth for coming to terms with the past
They can now do the same in the past, now that Google Earth also contains old Street View images. Google Maps has already allowed this for some time, which led to a trend on social networks last year. Users used Google Maps to find images of deceased relatives and published them on TikTok, for example, as TechCrunch writes. Google Earth now also allows this.
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However, Google Earth is also used professionally, as Google emphasizes. Previously, for example, a marine biologist discovered a previously unknown coral reef from his desk and a scientist discovered a hidden rainforest in Mozambique from his laboratory in London. The latter led to an expedition during which dozens of new plant and animal species were found. First responders in the USA have also used Google Earth after hurricanes to support rescue operations and understand the effects of natural disasters.
AI for Google Earth too
Google also provides tips on how to use Google Earth. For example, the service can be used to find extensive clusters of treetops that provide much-needed shade, especially in the hot summer months. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also a must. The company already integrated Gemini into Google Earth last year to provide city planners with useful insights, such as the locations of charging stations for electric cars.
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This AI support is to be expanded in the coming weeks. Google is announcing a design tool with generative AI for Google Earth that will give professional users new planning and design options. The company cites urban planning as an example, in which buildings can be assessed for their suitability for solar modules.
See also:
- Google Earth at heise Download
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