Google Earth, A Cool Tool!
 

Today Google introduced Google Earth, a free earthviewer application at http://earth.google.com You need high-speed internet to use it effectively.

For some US cities, it features 3-D data. To demonstrate, run the application and turn on the 3D Building layer. Then type Tremont Hotel, Chicago, IL into the search box and click Search.

Zoom in to get a clear view of the hotel and notice the cars parked out front.

After a minute or so for downloading data (YMMV), click the tilt control and the view will gradually change from a looking-down vertical view to a looking obliquely and then looking horizontally. Press one of the "circle-arrow" buttons and you will fly around the hotel! Press another arrow and fly around the countryside wherever you want to go.

After all the oohs and ahhhs have subsided, type 1416 Shrader St., San Francisco, CA (or some other address) in the search box and prepare to be teleported across the US in seconds.

Have fun!

Too Cool
 

Goodbye Mapquest, hello Google Earth! The graphics are unbelievable. I am totally captivated by it! Thanks to the OP. With that said, i am heading back over to Google Earth. :cool:

Google Earth Rocks!
 

I downloaded it this morning and already I'm hooked! I'm contemplating subscribing to Google Earth Plus and paying the $20 per year for the additional features.

Two words: Tre Mendous ^^^^^^^^

Looks like Keyhole, rebranded for Google. It's been around a long time, and it is quite cool.

Wow, this thing is awesome! :cool:

FewMiles..

darn...doesn't work on a mac... :(

This thing has to be the all time king of timewasters. I am hopelessly addicted already. ^

It is--or rather was--Keyhole. Google bought Keyhole last year so it is a bit more than a re-branding. One nice difference is that Keyhole was $299 to purchase; Google Earth is $0.00! ^ ^ ^

Keyhole has been $29 for some time now, I wonder what they will do for me as a former keyhole subscriber?.....

(Speechless). I can see the square I live on here in Novosibirsk, Russia, and that is Siberia! :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Keyhole was $29 after the free demo (which Google Earth recognized and told me had expired when I went to install it). Google Earth also has $20 and $400 versions with higher resolution.

I'll take a free version though. WorldWind still has some things GE doesn't, but it's neat to play with both of them. And I do mean play.

email them
 

email them, if you had a keyhole product. I got a new google earth 20$ code to use, not the pro though.

Now, the only problem I see with the product is functionality. I cannot get it to work yet on my T41, since it doesn't have a full smokin 3D graphics card. That is a limitation in my view.

They have already closed the beta:

The Earth At Night (Beta Temporarily Closed)

Welcome, frustrated would-be planet surfer.

We appreciate your interest in accessing 3D geospatial information, but due to the technical limitations of this beta launch, Google Earth has been forced to take a brief breather. Please check back with us soon.

Thanks,

The Google Earth Team

Too popular - closed
 

When trying to download it, following received:

The Earth At Night (Beta Temporarily Closed)

Welcome, frustrated would-be planet surfer.

We appreciate your interest in accessing 3D geospatial information, but due to the technical limitations of this beta launch, Google Earth has been forced to take a brief breather. Please check back with us soon.

Thanks,

The Google Earth Team