Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Google Earth
Just when you thought Google could not do any better than its current suite of applications, it has gone ahead and done just that. Google Earth is one of the most amazing technological applications I have seen in recent times and a great improvement over their local mapping. Using satellite imagery, Google Earth quite literally provides a 3-D interface to planet Earth. What you need to do is to download the software to your computer (the assumption is that you have broadband and enough computing resources) and then key in an address. It flies/zooms in to that address, providing you with an incredible view of the neighbourhood. What's more, you can actually ask for dining options, lodging options, ATM's and banks and it will mark all of that too.
The technology works brilliantly well for the United States and western Europe, but is not that great in India, China etc. Nevertheless, it's a geography buff's dream come true. Just type in Santiago, Chile for instance, and it flies you directly above the city and provides you with a bird's eye view of the city. Not as good as being there, but way better than visiting places in your imagination.
PS: Mac users, tough luck!
The technology works brilliantly well for the United States and western Europe, but is not that great in India, China etc. Nevertheless, it's a geography buff's dream come true. Just type in Santiago, Chile for instance, and it flies you directly above the city and provides you with a bird's eye view of the city. Not as good as being there, but way better than visiting places in your imagination.
PS: Mac users, tough luck!
