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
[thanks kisstheirng!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-12-2006 @ 3:27PM
Joshua said...
I come to TUAW so I don't have to look at XP's interface!!!
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6-12-2006 @ 3:33PM
matt said...
awsome, I thought the non-UB ran pretty fast. I got to see how fast this one runs. Thanks
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6-12-2006 @ 3:42PM
Pollibus said...
could please anyone tell me how to send in a tip?
look at this:
http://d.smugmug.com/gallery/581721/1/24353954/Large
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6-12-2006 @ 3:43PM
Stefan Schlautmann said...
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.
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6-12-2006 @ 3:43PM
Chris said...
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
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6-12-2006 @ 4:03PM
David Chartier said...
To #4: thanks, I think that does deserve a separate post as, if I remember right, there was no Mac version previously.
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6-12-2006 @ 4:04PM
David Chartier said...
#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.
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6-12-2006 @ 4:17PM
Piotr Malecki said...
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.
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6-12-2006 @ 4:31PM
Guillermo said...
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.
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6-12-2006 @ 4:38PM
Paul Menzies said...
Anyone see in the system specs that the Beta now suports Linux.
The New Google...:)
Link
http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html
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6-12-2006 @ 4:48PM
Chris said...
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.
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6-12-2006 @ 10:33PM
Joe Maller said...
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.
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6-12-2006 @ 11:02PM
Aaron Linville said...
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. :-)
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