Roughly seven months after it was first introduced, Google Earth for Android has just received a major update to version 1.1.
The big update in this version is underwater bathymetry! This feature was first introduced on the desktop in Google Earth 5, but this is the first time that the bathymetry feature has become available on a mobile phone. It also includes a new “Explore the Ocean” layer that features photos and videos which share stories from the sea.
If your phone is running Android 2.2 (Froyo), there are even more goodies in this release:
• “Move to SD” is enabled, to free up some space in your internal memory.
• Some of the “Explore the Ocean” items have Flash videos in them, which can be viewed directly in the app thanks to Flash 10.1 being available on your device.
• Two-finger “look around” mode, similar to the iPhone. This has been my biggest issue with the Android version of Google Earth, as the iPhone version was much easier to use. It was apparently a firmware issue, since this only works on Froyo, but I’m glad to see it was finally added. This makes it much easier to browse around the globe. As suggested on Ogle Earth a while ago, simply turn the phone sideways and use both thumbs on the screen. It works great!
For more information about this release, please visit the Google Lat Long Blog.
If your phone is on Android 2.1 or higher, go download/update Google Earth right now. This is a superb update, and it’s well worth your time to get it. While you’re there, grab a copy of the free Google Earth Blog app so you can keep up with the latest GEB news on the go!
About Mickey Mellen
Mickey has been using Google Earth since it was released in 2005, and has created a variety of geo-related sites including Google Earth Hacks. He runs a web design firm in Marietta, GA, where he lives with his wife and two kids.
Move to SD – from 20 to 14,5 mb !? This is some very ill joke.
Uninstalled.
I agree that the amount of data moved to SD is pretty weak. It’s a step in the right direction, but hopefully the next update can move even more data over.
It’s not really an issue on the newer phones (Droid 2, Droid X, etc), but on phones like the Nexus One it’s a pretty big deal. I had to uninstall GE on the N1 for a while just to save some space.
I cannot install the apk file of Google Earth v1.1. onto Motorola Milestone. The system informs “application not installed”. I uninstalled the apk of v1.0, then tried to install again this apk 1.1. However, it happened again: Application not installed”
I downloaded the apk file v1.1 from the internet. I tried to 3 different apk files, but the same wrong thing: Application not installed.
I tried to re-installed the apk v1.0, it informed”out of space” though i got the apk v1.0 installation succefully.
Please help!
Work ok on my Droid X. Still kind of klunky. My main issue is with the giant opaque blue ring around my location that hides much of imagery underneath.
I have solution about android 2.2 when it say application not installed so you can remove your sd card for install apps i tried it and it’s work
I possible open also kmd files?
Thanks