Google has updated Google Earth service for iOS devices and released version 7.0. This new update brings 3D maps which allow users to see 3D images of your cities. It also added a new “tour guide” mode to encourage exploration right in your own backyard.
Android users has already been enjoying this service, but Google now want to show iOS users their 3d maps which will be replaced by Apple’s maps in recent version of iOS.
Owners of the new iPad, the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4S can now virtually fly through their cities on this three dimension Google earth.
“We’ll keep building and releasing 3D imagery for new locations as fast as we can and by the end of the year we aim to have coverage for metropolitan areas with a combined population of 300 million people,” said Peter Birch, Google Earth Product Manager in a post on Google’s Lat Long blog.
3D images of cities is only available for some selected cities which includes Boulder, Boston, Charlotte, Lawrence (Kan.), Long Beach (Ca.), Los Angeles, Portland (Ore.), San Diego, Santa Cruz, Tampa, Tucson, and the San Francisco Bay Area (including the Peninsula and East Bay) as well as Rome, Italy.
“We’ve put together short tours of thousands of famous places and historical sites across the globe so it’s easier than ever to discover amazing places,” said Birch. “Just pull up the tab at the bottom of the screen to open the tour guide. Each image highlights a tours or place of interest in the area you are looking. Click on an item and you will be flown there. As you fly in and around the sites, snippets from Wikipedia provide additional information about the location. It’s like having a local expert right beside you!”
iOS users can download the latest version of Google Earth for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch from the Apple App Store today. This app only supports 3D images on devices running on iOS 4.2 or higher. Older version of devices will also get update, but they will lack this new 3d feature.
