Google Earth 1.1 Released for Android

Google Earth 1.1 Released for Android

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!

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Important Basics for Google Earth

[IMPORTANT NOTE: this post was initially written for Google Earth versions 4.0 through 4.2, but has been updated with tips covering Google Earth 5.2. For more info, you can read tips on navigating from the GE User Guide.]

If you are new to Google Earth (GE), or looking for ways to improve how you interact with GE, then this entry may be of help. Additional resources are referenced below. Note: this blog entry assumes you are using Google Earth 5 or higher. For tips on Google Earth 4, you can view the Google Earth 4 user guide.

Learning to manipulate the mouse and keys to control GE is crucial to getting the most out of sightseeing the Earth. The first important thing to know is how to zoom in closer to the Earth. You have many ways to do this: double-click your mouse button (left button, if you have multiple buttons, to zoom in, right button to zoom out); use the mouse scroll-wheel (if you have one); use the + and - keys; or use the PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN keys to zoom more quickly. You can also use the navigation gadgets - the "+" and "-" buttons with slider on the far upper-right to change your altitude. The mouse scroll-wheel is probably the favorite method of most typical GE fans. All of these methods adjust your altitude above the Earth's surface. You can see your height above sea level in the lower right of the GE viewing window. You can move the Earth to position it where you want to see by clicking a point with the left mouse button and slide the cursor to the middle of the viewing window.

At first, many people don't realize Google Earth is much more than a map with aerial and satellite photos attached. GE uses data from NASA Space Shuttle missions which provides 3D terrain data for the entire land surface of the Earth. Let's demonstrate this.

Click on this link to go to GE and fly to Mount St. Helens. Beautiful view right? But, try this: hold your SHIFT-DOWN key combination and watch GE tilt your view so you can see Mount St. Helens as a 3D mountain (if you don't - check to see that the "Terrain" layer is turned on). Very cool right? SHIFT-UP will tilt your view back up. You can also use the slider control at the upper right of the navigation control for tilting. A nice tip: hit the "u" key to tilt back straight up automatically. The "r" key will reset to north and tilt up.

An easier way to tilt and pan your view is to click and hold the middle mouse button or scroll wheel button (those of you who have a Mac with one mouse button have to use the above key or navigational control techniques - but, I would recommend getting a 3-button mouse). While you're holding the middle button if you move your mouse forward and backwards it will tilt the view. Side to side will pan your view around the point you are looking at.

While some of the tips no longer apply, this short 2 minute video tutorial from Google can help cover some of these navigation basics.