The New Google Earth is finally coming April 18

April 13, 2017

Google has sent press invitations announcing a first look at the “brand new” Google Earth on April 18. Just in time for Earth Day (which is April 22). Anyone reading this blog, which has been a fan blog about Google Earth since its inception in 2005, knows we have been waiting anxiously for a new version of Google Earth. It’s been five years since the last major release for Google Earth. We have been worried about the future of one of the world’s most popular applications during the past decade. But, Google has been promising us a new version is coming. They talked about it two years ago for Earth Day 2015, as the 10th anniversary of Google Earth approached. We can’t wait to see it.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Google Earth Blog is no longer writing regular posts. As a result, we are not accepting new comments or questions about Google Earth. If you have a question, use the official Google Earth and Maps Forums or the Google Earth Community Forums.

Comments

Kiran says

April 13, 2017 at 8:07 am

It’s probably something to do with VR
- Frank Taylor says
  
  April 13, 2017 at 9:28 am
  
  They may also announce something about VR. But, I’m pretty confident we’ll see a new version of the desktop/mobile versions of Google Earth at this event.
- Randy Mennie says
  
  April 14, 2017 at 4:52 pm
  
  They’ve had the VR version out for several months now. I’ve used it quite a bit. It is incredible and probably the best app I’ve got for the HTC Vive. If you ever have a chance to try it, make sure you do. And it’s free!
nicoinaz says

April 13, 2017 at 10:58 am

Hopefully this means more imagery updates!
- ben reuter says
  
  April 14, 2017 at 6:14 am
  
  Appart from a lot of Gimmiks this will certainly not be the focus 🙁
balachandert says

April 14, 2017 at 12:27 am

I hope the new version comes with full support for Linux desktops. May be something that is browser based! Fingers crossed.
zproxy says

April 14, 2017 at 7:41 am

with Google Earth for VR, the belief in a globe will be re-enforced.
Wilmer Osario says

April 14, 2017 at 1:28 pm

¿x86?
Jeff Crisdale says

April 15, 2017 at 9:08 pm

Fingers crossed it doesn’t introduce a swathe of new bugs or significantly shift the exact locs of my hundreds of fave placemarks (wasn’t fun spending days adjusting most of them after a previous major “update”)!!
- Timothy Whitehead says
  
  April 17, 2017 at 3:21 am
  
  Can you give more detail? Placemarks should not shift. Was that a shift in imagery or a shift in altitudes?
  - Jeff Crisdale says
    
    April 17, 2017 at 6:17 am
    
    The imagery had shifted after a major update for a lot of my Australian placemarks. Some around 30m – which was enough to cause confusion in metropolitan areas (placemark ends up on next property etc). It was quite a while back.
David Timpe says

April 16, 2017 at 10:24 am

I hope they at least update their map data, which is a couple of years out of date compared with maps. Interstate 41 from the Illinois line to Green Bay, WI was marked in 2015. and still doesn’t show on GE.
Naum Incuming says

April 19, 2017 at 12:51 pm

Sooooooo? Official website still gives me an old version

About Frank Taylor

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