Color me impressed: Google has released a custom Google Earth application for the iPhone / iPod Touch, and it’s stunning.
The Google Earth geographical software has been altered to make maximum use of the iPhone’s screen and functionality. You’re able to tilt the device to adjust your view when browsing mountainous terrain, use the ‘My Location’ feature to jump right to where you are in the blink of an eye, and use Google’s local search engine to look for information on cities, places and businesses. Google has also added additional layers to the application, namely Panoramio and Wikipedia, for geo-located high-quality photos and informative articles respectively.
This marks the main differentiator between the official Google Earth app and the one Earthscape released last May. More recently, the Earthscape application dropped its price from $10 to free, but will most likely be trumped by the official app now.
Update: Earthscape CEO Tom Churchill let us know Wikipedia articles have in fact been included in their app since the beginning, and that it will remain free from now on. He also cites other differences between the two apps, like real-time geotagged photoblogging and social features. We suggest you try both of them and decide which one tickles your fancy. After all, they’re both available free of charge.
As CNET points out, Google Earth for iPhone has a small Webkit-based browser to show the specific information users click on, and includes a link to the Safari browser Apple builds into the iPhone. When you click the address of a business using the local search engine, the iPhone will intercept the command and show it on the Google Maps application, enabling you to get directions instantly.
The app is free and available today in all languages the iPhone currently supports (18) and will gradually be released for 22 countries in total. Check the iTunes App Store to see if you’re among the lucky ones.
Product Manager Google Earth Peter Birch, who is the one demonstrating the app in the video below, has also announced that a similar application running on Android is high on the priority list for the future, but that there’s nothing to announce at this point. More features, like integration of 3D buildings and advanced mapping functionalities, are in the pipeline. It’s likely Google is also looking at ways to monetize the mobile traffic.
Wow, that IS what I was waiting for! Now WHO is going to add a Ski app to it so I can see where I am on the mountain?
Wonderful news:)
apex of innovation. never launch a startup or app selling, making or creating maps.
apexlocator.com-innovation killed the cat.
I found a picture of you at AssholeLocator.com
It’s already out… 3D Skier.
Who gives a crap about this? lol I want MMS on the phone. I’m looking for Steve http://www.iwan...sintheface.com/
Thats the greatest news ever!!
couldn’t agree more with jagjit…
Really great, thanks Google!
Wow, this is really neat. I can’t believe they managed to fit it into just 8MB
Google keep bringing the awesomeness…
I have the Whole World in my Hands – question: can 3rd party plugins be installed on top of this?
I don’t think so… yet.
This is a nice touch: the app crashed after a few minutes of zooming around the Santa Monica Mountains, but upon re-launch it zoomed from orbit back down to the location and perspective I last viewed.
Very freaking cool to have Earth in your pocket.
Google earth is most using software for Geo locations search.This is good for iPhone users.They can get great experience with iPhone using Google Earth on their lap.
Source:http://iboozi.com
Am I the only one freaked out by ohw crooked his finder his?
iTunes gives me this message: “The item you’ve requested is not currently available in the Israeli Store.” How delightful
Anyone know a workaround?
Really? That is strange. I wonder why Apple is restricting this app? Its not like Google Earth is limited exclusively to the US?
Google is “Awesome”.
Hai brother, thanks for sharing this info, i will surely try it out.
Wow, I’m sure Peter Birch is a great engineer but he sure does suck at reading an autocue…great app though, I’m impressed that they didn’t just keep this for Android only.
Actually, he does a very good job reading the autocue, especially as he’s a Product Manager and not a newsreader…
No offense . But a product manager needs to show a bit of enthusiasm towards the product that he is presenting. Its like ” Yeah , there is this app we got . Try it if you want”.
It’s a really great work by Google. Well done!
Frank, I think it’s very clear that Google wants its products in the hands (literally!) of as many customers as possible: Apple & Google are strategic partners that are aiming to cater to different usergroups and in so doing collectively dominate the handheld computer market in the years to come.
I echo what Sean asked…I hope this is open to 3rd party development.
Awesome for real!
what a larger finger at 1:41 – is that E.T.
its not available in india it seems.. a search @ app store gives no results
Good stuff!
Maybe the new google phone will be able to make you a hot cup of coffee if you ask nicely. In all honesty Google has some amazing things up their sleeve and they continue to amaze us all.
The world just got a little bit smaller. Google Earth is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch, allowing you to fly to the far reaches of the world from the palm of your hand.
Google Earth now available for iPhone!!
Just wondering ..Was Birch forced to present it ?..Doesn’t seem so happy
I just added this to my Iphone, it seems like a pretty cool application. I’ve kind of slept on the whole google earth thing for quite some time, so it might take a little while to get used to it, but it does look awesome. And whoever had the idea of the Ski Slopes 3D application was a genius, I’m really going to have to check this out on my next trip.
and later we have Itunes on android phone…lol,
Thanks Google
Talk about keeping customer’s interests front and center. Google could easily neglect the iPhone platform in favor of Android, and here they are releasing a product — on a competing platform — that’s not even available on their own devices. Kudos to Google.
Thats about the dumbest move I have ever seen… why not make it exclusive for the G-phone… instead they bring out an awesome application for their number one competitor but not themselves…and also with a product you can’t make much money on…Not very smart… wonder why they’d do that
works in itunes Japan
Excellent, cant wait to try it here in Sweden!!
This is good news! I’ll try it next time.
Just bought a new iPhone and got it unlocked using ZiPhone. Now cant wait to try Google earth on it.