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Google Earth goes Universal

by David Chartier Jun 12th 2006 at 3:15PM


Google has not only released a beta (of course) version of Google Earth with loads of juicy new features and enhancements, but it has also gone Universal. I can't find any official information at the Google Earth site about the Universal update, but MacUpdate has a link with all the pertinent info. Also in this Intel-friendly release is:
  • SketchUp integration
  • embedded Navigator interface (top-right, overlaying the 3D view)
  • Localized client to French, German, Italian, Spanish
  • Textured 3D Model files can be loaded (Collada XML file format)
  • Layers: new Core/All/"Now Enabled" views
  • Full screen mode now allows searching (use F-11 on the PC)
  • Press the '/' key to access Search from full screen mode
  • Scale Legend
  • Full resolution imagery across entire screen
  • Terrain quality preference setting
  • Improved Garmin GPS device support
  • Toolbar (replaces navigation panel previously shown below the 3dview)
  • Diagonal arrow-key navigation (up arrow + left arrow simultaneously)
  • Tristate checkboxes in Places/Layers folders
With all these new goodies, what are you still here for? Go grab a copy! (But be sure to come back here for more news!)

[thanks kisstheirng!]

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Google has not only released a beta (of course) version of Google Earth with loads of juicy new features and enhancements, but it has also...
 

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Aaron Linville

Google Earth is nice but it desperately crys out for Bonjour enabled "Places" sharing (ala iTunes) so that your friend right next to you can sight-see right along with you. Sending the .kml files around is a PITA for just light browsing with friends.

In addition, there needs to be a lock-north-up feature. Having to click the north-up button after ever couple mouse drags gets old after awhile. Come on Google, a lot of people asked for this in beta 3, you've already implemented most of this feature. :-)

June 12 2006 at 11:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joe Maller

I had to trash a bunch of prefs before the layers pane showed up. If you're only seeing Search, start clearing out everything Googly from your ~/Library folder: One folder in Application Support and a few files in Preferences.

June 12 2006 at 10:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris

David - There's been a paid-for version of SketchUp on Mac for a while (at least since before the free version was released for Windoze) - I don't know how long as I only recently discovered SketchUp.
Yesterday there wasn't a free Mac version, today there is.

June 12 2006 at 4:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul Menzies

Anyone see in the system specs that the Beta now suports Linux.

The New Google...:)

Link

http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html

June 12 2006 at 4:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Guillermo

I agree with Stefan. This version runs like crap on my 15" PowerBook (1.5GHz, 1.25GB RAM). At least they updated the imagery for Caracas, though.

June 12 2006 at 4:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Piotr Malecki

This version (Beta 4 - UB) also adds the option to upgrade to Google Earth Plus (on the Mac).

Unfortunately this doesn't support my Generic USB Mouse receiver (which outputs standard NMEA-0183 data) on PC or Mac. Google says they're working on it.

Those with most Garmin and Magellan devices can use this.

BTW Google - if you're reading this - Add standard NMEA-0183 support (USB yes, RS232 ?) and I'll swipe my visa for Google Earth Plus ($20 US) right now.

June 12 2006 at 4:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Chartier

#2: In the middle column of our site, with all the categories, just before the "Powered by Blogsmith" badge, is a "Send us news tips" link.

June 12 2006 at 4:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Chartier

To #4: thanks, I think that does deserve a separate post as, if I remember right, there was no Mac version previously.

June 12 2006 at 4:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris

Dunno whether this deserves a seperate topic, but I'm sure that it's no coincidence that the free Mac version of SketchUp was released today too - http://sketchup.google.com/download.html

June 12 2006 at 3:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cyberdork

This new version runs terribly on my 12" iBook G4 1.2GHz, 1.25GB.
Almost as choppy as the first beta version.
The previous version ran like butter.

June 12 2006 at 3:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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