Mountain View (CA) - Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch was posted on the App Store earlier today. The mobile software offers the same immersive experience of the desktop version, wrapped in a nicely package that takes advantage of the multi-touch interface
Google Earth is a very graphics intensive application, but we can confirm that the software shines on the iPhone, which has somewhat limited hardware resources, as well. And, of course, Earth on a device you carry in your pocket has an entirely different appeal and a much higher usability factor that Earth that is used from desktop or notebook screen.
However, Google Earth for the iPhone lacks some advanced features found in its desktop counterpart and focuses on the basics instead. Called "Earth in your pocket," Google Earth allows you to rotate the globe with a swipe gesture and zoom in on any location for the same global imagery and 3D terrain that is available to the desktop client. It also knows cool tricks that draw from iPhone's GPS hardware and the accelerometer.
For instance, a location feature can obtain your current location, while the accelerometer enables users to adjust the view of mountain terrains simply by tilting the handset. You can also browse any of the 8 million Panoramio photos, browse millions of geo-located photos from around the world or read geo-located Wikipedia articles. An integrated Google Local Search enables users to search for cities, places and business around the globe.
The user interface is highly responsive and appears fast enough when used over a 3G cellular network. A fully-featured web browser is integrated to display web content within the application instead launching separately in Safari. The application lacks more advanced features found in the desktop version, such as overlays with street names and other useful geographical information. The annoying drawback at this time is a lengthy default animation that zooms in to your current location when you launch Earth in your pocket.
The application is available free of charge for the iPhone and iPod touch through the iTunes App Store in 18 languages and 22 countries.
Google Earth is a very graphics intensive application, but we can confirm that the software shines on the iPhone, which has somewhat limited hardware resources, as well. And, of course, Earth on a device you carry in your pocket has an entirely different appeal and a much higher usability factor that Earth that is used from desktop or notebook screen.
However, Google Earth for the iPhone lacks some advanced features found in its desktop counterpart and focuses on the basics instead. Called "Earth in your pocket," Google Earth allows you to rotate the globe with a swipe gesture and zoom in on any location for the same global imagery and 3D terrain that is available to the desktop client. It also knows cool tricks that draw from iPhone's GPS hardware and the accelerometer.
For instance, a location feature can obtain your current location, while the accelerometer enables users to adjust the view of mountain terrains simply by tilting the handset. You can also browse any of the 8 million Panoramio photos, browse millions of geo-located photos from around the world or read geo-located Wikipedia articles. An integrated Google Local Search enables users to search for cities, places and business around the globe.
The user interface is highly responsive and appears fast enough when used over a 3G cellular network. A fully-featured web browser is integrated to display web content within the application instead launching separately in Safari. The application lacks more advanced features found in the desktop version, such as overlays with street names and other useful geographical information. The annoying drawback at this time is a lengthy default animation that zooms in to your current location when you launch Earth in your pocket.
The application is available free of charge for the iPhone and iPod touch through the iTunes App Store in 18 languages and 22 countries.