[Editied: 05 November, 2005 14:22 EST]
This version seems largely focused on improvements to the Google Earth Community Layer to allow more control over the number of placemarks viewed at once.
(NOTE: there also was an update to the Layers database (which all versions of GE will see) which changed the name of the “Keyhole BBS Layer” to “Google Earth Community” Layer, updated the DG layers, and added the Education sub-layer (to the GEC layer).)
A new version of Google Earth has just been put up. Download it at earth.google.com. There is no documentation on the differences available yet. It is interesting they’ve come out with a new update only 2 weeks after the last update. The biggest change I’ve noticed is with the Community Layer (see below). I suspect we’ll see a new database update soon (which is overdue). Here’s what I’ve noticed has changed with the new version so far (I will add updates as I figure them out):
- Improved description bubbles – a new cleaner look. Seems faster when images are loaded as well.
- New Education sub-layer in the Google Earth Community layer
- When the GEC Layer is turned on it uses a level of detail trick where only a few of the placemarks are shown until you get closer more appear, then even closer you see dense patches of placemarks. Apparently at a higher (above ground) level the fewer placemarks you see are ones which have been reviewed for quality. Then, when you zoom in further you get more placemarks. Interesting!
- An additional layer (near the bottom of the list) called “Google Earth Community (unranked) contains the bulk of the posted placemarks which have yet to be “approved” as good quality posts.
- They have fixed a bug with description bubbles when large images were loaded (they were clipped horizontally).
- The layer which was called “User Submitted Layers” is now “Community Showcase”, but no new data – yet.
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.
Google Earth up to 3.0.0739 Beta
Google comes out with a new incremental update for its Earth. No changelog yet. (Via Google Earth Blog)…
It’s also introduced some more undocumented tags.
Full details of all undocumented (and documented) tags are in my KML Reference, accessible via the URL attached to this comment (click my name after Posted by…).
I thought this program was kinda neat until I tried to find my house that I’ve been living in for about 5 years. Just a vacant lot was all I found. How old is this program? If it is not current (at least within a couple of years) why use it? It’s no good to me when it is this outdated.
my comment is that the google earth is an imaginative program to see your house and everything around it it is great especially for those who are living abroad. really it is a great technology
I was the person who complained how old the program because all I found was vacant lot. Checked out your new site and was very impressed on how accurate everything was. Keep up the good work.
How often are maps updated. I was looking at some of the bays on the Texas coast and it’s January 15, 2006.
How do I get the latest maps?
I would like to know if there is a version “up to date” of Google earth?
I need to have current images of the world, not images from 4 or 5 years ago.
Does a program like this exist?
If so, how can I get it?
Thanks a lot in advance.
Regards.
You should read the story in the Google Earth Blog “Basics” section called “About Google Earth Imagery”. Or just follow this link:
http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/03/about_google_earth_imagery_1.html