The world in 3D on your mobile device
Google Earth is a free interactive geographic tool that allows users to explore and navigate the entire planet through a 3D image of the Earth. Developed by Google, this innovative platform combines satellite images and geospatial data to visualize the world and travel through it without leaving home.
Available for both PCs and mobile devices, as well as an enhanced version exclusively for PCs, this interactive experience of Google Earth allows you to fly and observe the planet virtually like you never imagined. It has a wide variety of valuable features for you to enjoy and explore.
The Good
Google Earth makes a great first impression. The program is controlled completely from the touchscreen, so users with larger screens are in luck. Tap to zoom in, pinch to zoom out, and use two fingers to rotate and tilt. It couldn't be simpler. There's almost nowhere on the globe that you can't access with Google Earth, so swipe and zoom until you've surveyed the whole planet. There's also a search option for more direct access.
You'll also find more features that will take your Google Earth experience to another level. My Location will take you to where you are using the app. At the same time, under the Layers option, you'll be able to turn secondary sources of information on and off, like Wikipedia and photos. Under Google Earth's settings, you'll be able to specify more technical details, like whether or not to use your phone's hardware sensors for navigation and the ability to limit the cache so Google Earth doesn't suck up your resources.
The Bad
Unfortunately, Google Earth just doesn't follow up on its excellent first impression. Although the app's scale is awesome—in the most literal sense—it doesn't measure up in terms of usability. Navigation can be sticky, especially when the Look Around feature is enabled and close-up graphics aren't crisp. The 3D feature for viewing famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal doesn't always work, and when it does, there are often graphics issues when zoomed in.
The Layers feature is also lacking. Although this app offers three Layers—which you can enable and disable at will—they don't work well, and the interface becomes unusably crowded with indistinct and fiddly icons.
These usability problems are disappointing. This platform is an amazing concept and works fantastically on other devices. Unfortunately, mobile devices aren't yet one of them.
Generative design tools
Thanks to the integration of Delve, real estate, and sustainability professionals can now rely on Google Earth for generative design. Leveraging the familiar user interface, designers can define project sites, select from yield optimization, best-use analysis, or solar feasibility studies, and receive a range of design options. These options include building type, height, return on investments, and more, allowing for data-driven exploration of a project's environmental and financial impact.
Around the world in 80 seconds
Google Earth for Android is a great idea that, unfortunately, has some unforgivable usability issues. Thanks to its satellite images, you can travel all over the planet and explore any corner of the world from the comfort of your home. However, some performance issues can affect your experience.
Changes
People returning to Google Earth may notice some improvements since 8.0.0. The interface has been simplified, there are now better 3D images, clearer maps, and smoother transitions between layers - but still none of it is perfect. Support for Google Drive is also now included, allowing you to view KML and KMZ files.
