Google have issued their v6.2 update for users to download for free, with a key feature of the upgrade being that the ‘patchwork quilt’ effect seen on the service before is now gone.
The effect is the key element of the new update, having before shown various images with clear indication that more than one was taken and ’stitched’ to others to form local maps, but with v6.2 the data is now presented in a more ’streamlined’ fashion.
Other features coming from the update (which was released yesterday), include new ’search layers’ for more detailed searching alongside auto-complete text, direction information for walking, cycling, and public transport, and interactivity with the Google+ social networking service (the ability to take and post Google Earth screenshots to your profile).
The changes have taken place on both desktop and mobile versions of the programme. A Google spokeswoman said of the update: “We are always working on making Google Earth imagery as seamless as possible. These recent changes will make the map more beautiful by showing a single source of data at high altitudes, significantly reducing patchiness from orbit. You may notice as you zoom in that there will be shifts in imagery as data from different sources transitions in but we aim to minimize this effect through special processing.”
With a key breakthrough now made in Google Earth’s imagery development process, how much closer to reality will the service now be considered?
Google Earth have reportedly loaned usage of their API technology to a marine wildlife organisation looking to protect sea turtles, with the web search giant also paying out a grant and applying tracking technology to allow browsers on the organisation’s website to follow the movement and direction one of the creatures.
WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network) have attached a satellite transmitter to sea turtle ‘Jklynn’, as they plan to record (and broadcast via their integrated Google Maps system) her movements and nest-building activity across the Caribbean Sea. So far, the map claims that ‘Jklynn’ has made a number of nests near Bonaire, with each thought to be containing around 100 baby turtle eggs.
As a means of drawing more users into viewing the progress, WIDECAST have also prepared a game on their website (’The Great Migration Game’), allowing users to guess where ‘Jklynn’ will head next, with the closest guesses winning lucrative prizes such as smartphones. With the average life expectancy of a sea turtle ranging at around 80 years, it is a promotion that could be going on for quite some time…
The recent death of dictator Kim Jong-il has prompted waves of ‘hysterical’ ‘mourning’ across the nation of North Korea, and while no-one will ever really be sure if their distress is genuine, the rest of the world will be hoping that the likely incoming leader, Kim Jong-il’s son Kim Jong-un (dubbed by the national public broadcasting service as ‘the great successor’ to the man known as ‘dear leader’) will be able to open up the secretive country a bit more and integrate with the rest of the world in a manner similar to nearby China.
This ‘opening up’ would probably include basic information such as road maps, with Google Map’s representation of North Korea blank except from the location of capital city of Pyongyang. In ordinary circumstances, it would be considered strange that a country which has over 24 million citizens, vast spaces, and unofficially the best national football team in the world, that they have almost zero data online regarding maps.
While Google Earth has a fair bit more data on locations of settlements, airports, and landmarks (amongst other features), there is still a strange lack of a road network overlay on all of Google’s services, despite many open roads being clearly seen from the satellite imagery. Will a new leader help North Korea become seen on the global stage (in a non-violent way), or are the maps, like the country itself, set to stay almost entirely hidden?
Google Earth is a computer programme prone to being edited for ‘mods’ by private users, with individuals trying their hand at making their own unique updates for the popular service.
One of these comes from 2009, where designer Romyn Perret-Green uploaded to YouTube this clip (seen below) of browsing the world at ground level from the perspective of a Formula One car’s cockpit. A good idea in theory, except in reality all that can be seen is the steering wheel going over Google’s satellite pictures merged with the ground, resulting in what would not be considered as the most aesthetically pleasing experience on Google Earth…
A selection of Google users in Southeast Asia have recently been praising the use of the online search giant (in particular their Maps service and Google Earth) in helping them to cut costs, effort, and materials, claiming that they are especially pleased with how the services can be eco-friendly.
Cyclist Andrew Sia, who had cut 39km from a 145km journey in Thailand, said of the use of satellite imagery in trip planning: “Google Earth’s satellite images showed the most up-to-date and smallest tracks and allowed us to find short cuts through remote areas. It also gave us an idea of the kind of terrain we would be passing through, be it rubber estates, fish ponds or rivers.”
Another user added: “The routing in Google maps is functional, meaning no more printing of large pieces of paper to be taped together to form a map.”
On the environmental side of things, a large company rarely gives up an opportunity to show how ‘green’ they are, and Google is no different, as their official blog replied to the Asian praise.
Google wrote of their contribution to ‘the cause’: “We’re carbon-neutral, and that means our products and services are too. In addition, we’ve created tools that help people green the way they live and work. Whether an individual is mapping a bike route to the office on Google Maps, or an architect is using Google SketchUp to evaluate solar potential on a new building, Google tools and services are making it easy for individuals and businesses around the world to save energy and shrink their carbon footprint.”
With plans for the future for more of their services and operations to become more efficient, are Google showing the way with their suggested green ethos, or are they merely providing suggested means for people to do it themselves?
Google Earth have lent their support to a unique project undertaken by American ocean data provider Liquid Robotics.
The company, who are also receiving support from Virgin Oceanic on their venture, have sent out a fleet of four ’swimming robots’ (self-propelled two-part products (pictured)) on a 59,500km (37,000-mile) trip to cross the Pacific Ocean.
Having already departed from San Francisco (USA), the group of $200,000 solar-powered ‘Wave Gliders’ will aim to reach the US state of Hawaii, before the robots are programmed to split into two ‘teams’ of two, one headed for Japan, and the other for Australia.
While the main purpose of the trip is to gain scientific data on the Pacific Ocean (including temperature, oxygen levels, salt content (salinity), and waves, amongst others), a bonus could come their way (should at least one of the robots reach its destination) in the form of a Guinness World Record for completing the ‘longest unmanned sea voyage’.
Goggle’s role in the project will mainly come after it is complete, hosting data collected by the Wave Gliders on Google Earth at no charge to users, under the banner of ‘Google Earth Ocean Showcase’.
The machines used for the process are reported to be of a similar size to a dolphin, and contain a number of features that will be used for movement (such as a main float connected to an underwater glider, as well as a system that converts wave energy into extra propulsion) and data collection. Liquid Robotics said of their machine: “This means that Wave Gliders can travel to a distant area, collect data, and return for maintenance without ever requiring a ship to leave port.”
Now thought to be five days into their voyage, will the Wave Gliders be successful in their research mission?
This Google Earth zoom-in (of Pitt Islands (Chatham Islands)) was filmed and uploaded to YouTube (and can be seen below), but seems to go on and on and on and on and on. Almost enough to make you want to not visit the islands…
Incoming satellite searches:-
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A surprising source seems to be offering a free online alternative to Google Earth right now, with American space agency NASA working alongside the Japanese Advanced Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), in order to produce a ‘digital topographic map’ of planet Earth.
The map was made (and published in October) with the use of the ASTER device (which is currently on-board NASA’s Terra spacecraft). ASTER measured the planet via scans of every 30m of Earth to produce an accurate land-based projection that has been dubbed as a ‘global digital elevation model’, combining two 2D versions to create a ‘3D effect’ on the map projections.
The latest update to the ‘map’ included 260,000 new images, all of which take account of nearby spatial awareness, water recognition, and of course ground height measurements, with NASA’s free database claiming to cover 99% of the planet’s landmass.
While the data has been admitted as not entirely complete, will users of the service prefer it to Google Earth, or does the latter’s larger integration of features leave it a difficult programme to beat?
Incoming satellite searches:-
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While the satellite technology used for Google Maps might capture a fair level of overview detail in near enough every land-based location on the planet, there are some places, which for political, secrecy, lack of information, or safety reasons are approved on their request to be blurred or un-mentioned on Google Maps.
Below are 10 of the most high-profile ‘unviewable’ locations suggested by a YouTube video…
A new ‘map app’ for Google Earth is claiming to enhance the overall experience of the user on the popular virtual globe-browsing service.
The unofficial update, known as ‘KMZ maps’ are apparently able to customize a user’s session on Google Earth through the process of choosing ‘visualisations’ that have been produced as overlays in the .kmz format.
The update contains five separate ‘collections’ for a user to choose from, with the groups of ‘Stylized Earth Maps’, ‘Solid Color Earth Maps’, ‘Latitude Longitude Earth Maps’, ‘Natural Terrain Earth Maps’, ‘Vector Lines Collection’.
This update is being hosted by CNET, who are claiming to offer the service exclusively on their website (for a reduced price) for today only before offering it to other suppliers. Having people pay to make Google Earth look a little different… will this product become popular?
Incoming satellite searches:-
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The effect is the key element of the new update, having before shown various images with clear indication that more than one was taken and ’stitched’ to others to form local maps, but with v6.2 the data is now presented in a more ’streamlined’ fashion.
Google Earth have reportedly loaned usage of their API technology to a marine wildlife organisation looking to protect sea turtles, with the web search giant also paying out a grant and applying tracking technology to allow browsers on the organisation’s website to follow the movement and direction one of the creatures.
As a means of drawing more users into viewing the progress, WIDECAST have also prepared a game on their website (’The Great Migration Game’), allowing users to guess where ‘Jklynn’ will head next, with the closest guesses winning lucrative prizes such as smartphones. With the average life expectancy of a sea turtle ranging at around 80 years, it is a promotion that could be going on for quite some time…
The recent death of dictator Kim Jong-il has prompted waves of ‘hysterical’ ‘mourning’ across the nation of North Korea, and while no-one will ever really be sure if their distress is genuine, the rest of the world will be hoping that the likely incoming leader, Kim Jong-il’s son Kim Jong-un (dubbed by the national public broadcasting service as ‘the great successor’ to the man known as ‘dear leader’) will be able to open up the secretive country a bit more and integrate with the rest of the world in a manner similar to nearby China.
A selection of Google users in Southeast Asia have recently been praising the use of the online search giant (in particular their Maps service and Google Earth) in helping them to cut costs, effort, and materials, claiming that they are especially pleased with how the services can be eco-friendly.
Google Earth have lent their support to a unique project undertaken by American ocean data provider Liquid Robotics.
A surprising source seems to be offering a free online alternative to Google Earth right now, with American space agency NASA working alongside the Japanese Advanced Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), in order to produce a ‘digital topographic map’ of planet Earth.
A new ‘map app’ for Google Earth is claiming to enhance the overall experience of the user on the popular virtual globe-browsing service.