Google Earth on iPhone?

[davidwarren]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10075543-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5

just read this article reviewing google earth for the iphone, but it is not to be found in the app store.....

anyone have it?

[mario787]

"The free software started becoming available through Apple's App store on Sunday (October 26). It's a free download in 20 countries, running in all 18 languages the iPhone supports."

I can't find it in the US Itunes store. Does anybody have a link to the app? Thanks...

[FearlessFreep]

Not yet. It's apparently coming. The comments say it has hit the Australia store.

[spyker3292]

Yup, it's there.

Quick tip: Change your store country at the bottom of the page in iTunes :P.

[tongteh]

found it in australia app store!! thanks for the tip. :)

[mario787]

spyker3292: Even if you change your store to Australia, it won't let you download if you have an US itunes account. Guess I'll have to wait a few hours....

[spyker3292]

Yup, but you can see that it's there ;).

[AceFernalld]

You can't see it under searches.

But I clicked All Applications By Google and it showed up!

Google Earth is now out!

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=293622097&mt=8

[Luap]

I just got it here in the UK. Looks promising :)
Having said that.. Runs a bit jittery. Not exactly sure what it offers above the Google Maps satalite view so far..
The tilt thing is nifty, but again.. Not as smooth as it could be.

[maiden16tiger]

i have now downloaded to my itunes store...
and im in the U.S

its is now available to the US

[scotty588]

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/introducing-google-earth-for-iphone.html

Already crashed a bunch of times on me.

[aluren]

is this a better version of earthscape?

[moka]

much faster then earthescape but you are going to sacrifice a very very small percentage with image quality. i prefer it alot more than earthescape

[The General]

I hope they port Google Earth to Android soon. :D

[SFStateStudent]

I'm pretty sure these satellite photos are a few years old, since my neighbors cars and my cars have changed, (my old cars are in two different street views and the license plates on both are visible; scary). Nice images on my iPhone and I was a bit dizzy when I tilted my iPhone and the terrain moved with me...:p

[Elflovag]

Aaah, the frustration, it's not yet available in Hungary :-/ I sure hope it will be.

Anyway, why would anyone use the Maps application anymore if Google Earth knows the same functions but is much more powerful?

[Kingsnapped]

This is absolutely amazing. I never expected this on the iPhone.

[nagromme]

Very nice! Mostly I'll just use Maps, but the 3D terrain is very useful sometimes. (And always fun.)

Now integrate with X-Plane please :)

[andreab35]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

Not too bad Google!
The images for me aren't too clear, but overall it is a very neat app!
Go get it! :D

[Dreamer2go]

wicked sick =)
the world in my fingertips!!!

[SimonTheSoundMa]

This runs more smooth than the desktop version on my MacBook Pro.

You can forget using it on my MacBook, the image flickers black bars all the time.

Google, can you fix your Mac OS X version please!

[arkitect]

This works really well.
Although it is rather wasted on a small screen. :)

[NZPacifikRoze]

I find Google Earth to be very slow on the iPhone for now. Also, I feel the top half of my phone gets pretty warm quickly while using the app.

[alchemistmuffin]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

[InkMaster]

Shame IRL its nowhere as snappy as it is in the demo ;)

[mogzieee]

COOL

:D

Can't wait to get my iPod touch now...

[Kaptajn Haddock]

Could it be that he is reading from a teleprompter and is a wee bit nervous :D

[mrcharlie91]

Thank you google !

[ipoppy]

Yea....and I said don't buy Earthscape app because google will come up with their own. And they did. Now I am waiting for some sort of My Maps app from google where you can place pictures directly onto your My maps Google with full comments etc.

[troller]

and what about software for navigation ? Sorry what sense does it make so see my location in the whole world but I am not able to navigate from a to b without having an active internet connection for google maps.

I need something to download for the navigation and not a **** what shows me where I am on the planet......wtf !

[Jeonat]

It's not what I would call snappy, but it's fast enough. I'm sure they can do some work on improving that.

Lovely little app though, not sure how much I would use it but will keep on my iPhone to show it off to people, or as a time-killer if I need it!

I especially like the implementation of multi-touch to allow you to "pinch and rotate" your finger to rotate the map. Haven't seen another app implement that (although I might be wrong) so it's pretty nifty!

[skrutzen]

Amazing! This app runs so smoothly.

[BergerFan]

I'm pretty sure these satellite photos are a few years old...Yes they are. For example in London, the iconic Wembley & Emirates Stadiums have been completed for over three years now, but in Google Maps/Earth, they are still in early building stages.
A great win by the Bush-less Saints at Wembley yesterday too.
They should call this app "Superman", because that is what it must feel like, as you effortlessly 'fly' around, lol. :D

[Rybold]

If I already have Google Maps on my iPhone3G, then why do I need this App?
What does it add? Is it useful in real-time, or is it just something for research or to kill time?
I have never used Google Earth on a PC. I use Google Maps all the time though.

Thank you. :)

Image from Google..

[Stridder44]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

What the hell are you talking about?

This app is awesome! :D Way to go Google!

[Di9it8]

Its excellent, even has autotilt :rolleyes:

[Wkaemena]

Yes they are. For example in London, the iconic Wembley & Emirates Stadiums have been completed for over three years now, but in Google Maps/Earth, they are still in early building stages.
A great win by the Bush-less Saints at Wembley yesterday too.
They should call this app "Superman", because that is what it must feel like, as you effortlessly 'fly' around, lol. :D

The Google Earth content is updated sometimes very often in certain parts of the world and sometimes once in many years ( I can see a "reason" for frequent update.... e.g. some "interests" like military/ political )

[RoboCop001]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

What? Apple's Maps is Google Maps... lol

[cbrain]

Yah! I've been waiting for this!

*runs off to download*

[irishgrizzly]

The guy presenting the video is creepy.

I'll download this, but can't see myself using it too often. It'll be hell on the battery.

[BornAgainMac]

What happened to 3D Buildings? I like that feature of Google Earth.

[Dagless]

Well done Apple and Google!

Now, do I tell my parents and brother? Do I willingly hand out all of our internet bandwidth?

[xDYLANx]

seriously, this man has the creepiest looking finger i've ever seen. how did this not come to anyone elses attention?:confused:

[TheZimm]

whoo! it saves everywhere you look for offline use! nice!

I highly suggest this for all ipod touch users, now all google needs to do is implant route guidance system =]

Zym

[CommanderData]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

I'll have some of whatever you had ;)

Apple's Map App was written by Google for the iPhone, so there's nothing for you to worry about.

[Eric Isaacson]

Downloaded and looking forward to trying it out.

[sgntscrawn]

This is pretty cool. What I would love to see, though, is an option to save the image you're currently seeing. I'd love to have my car in my driveway as my iPod touch wallpaper :D

[TheZimm]

This is pretty cool. What I would love to see, though, is an option to save the image you're currently seeing. I'd love to have my car in my driveway as my iPod touch wallpaper :D

take a screenshot! then apply it as ur background

Zym

[bentley]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....


Please tell me you're joking. You really think Apple would pull something developed by Google?

[sgntscrawn]

Please tell me you're joking. You really think Apple would pull something developed by Google?

Yeah. I sort of doubt Apple would pull a Google app. Especially considering one of the people making that decision would be Eric Schmidt, on the board of Directors of Apple, and CEO of Google :D

[thewizard.mac]

this is great!! i've been waiting for google earth on iphone :D:D:D

[Adamo]

I'd not thought about them putting it on before, but it's certainly nice to have it now!

[pyr0sphere]

That guy seemed so uncomfortable. It was like he was being held at gunpoint

[Patriks7]

It's time like these I wished I had an iPhone/iPod Touch :P

[Di9it8]

I hope they port Google Earth to Android soon. :D
Its ironic its gone to iPhone & iTouch before Android:D

Shame IRL its nowhere as snappy as it is in the demo ;)

No difference in speed between iPhone and MacBookPro!! :D

[Jackou]

I just cant keep it running for more than 44 seconds.
keeps crashing all the time. Waiting for an update of this thing, cause i'm pretty sure it will be interesting stuff.
I didnt have time to read the bunch of coments that was left already but i read two of em and one said it crashed so...
Forgive if i'm wrong, i'm just sayin!
My iPhone is a 16Gb 3G.
see ya:cool:

[BergerFan]

Its ironic its gone to iPhone & iTouch before Android:DIt just shows that Google, IMO, Don't regard iPhone as competition, more as a partner.
I'm sure they've identified their principle competition as Win-Mo, and Symbian.

[Hawkeye411]

Just tried it and it's really cool. I like the Autotilt function!!

[windowpain]

What an awesome app!
I'm surprised how well it runs. And you can't beat the price.

[Ed91]

The Google Earth content is updated sometimes very often in certain parts of the world and sometimes once in many years ( I can see a "reason" for frequent update.... e.g. some "interests" like military/ political )

Yeah, I work beside a nuclear bunker, and it always amuses me when I look at my workplace on Google Earth. There are miles of blurry lo-definition rural imagery surrounding it, then all of a sudden you see recent hi-definition imagery covering the bunker, which is otherwise in the middle of nowhere..

I wonder why that could be.. :rolleyes:

[eastcoastsurfer]

What the hell are you talking about?

This app is awesome! :D Way to go Google!

What? Apple's Maps is Google Maps... lol

I'll have some of whatever you had ;)

Apple's Map App was written by Google for the iPhone, so there's nothing for you to worry about.

Please tell me you're joking. You really think Apple would pull something developed by Google?

It's called sarcasm. Apple's official excuse for pulling the other app was that it 'duplicated functionality found in iTunes.' Well this app also duplicates functionality already found on the iPhone, so why is it allowed and the podcaster over wifi not allowed?

[Arran]

I feel like the evil genius from a Bond movie. You know, the one who cackles "Heh, heh, heh. Nowwww I havvve the worlddd in my hands". Right before everything blows up :)

At any rate, it makes the "I am Rich" app look poor value ;)

[davidwarren]

Yeah. I sort of doubt Apple would pull a Google app. Especially considering one of the people making that decision would be Eric Schmidt, on the board of Directors of Apple, and CEO of Google :D

I seriously doubt the BoD makes decisions about which apps to kill...

[ClassicBean]

Anybody notice that the guy in the video didn't blink once?

[shareef777]

I just cant keep it running for more than 44 seconds.
keeps crashing all the time. Waiting for an update of this thing, cause i'm pretty sure it will be interesting stuff.
I didnt have time to read the bunch of coments that was left already but i read two of em and one said it crashed so...
Forgive if i'm wrong, i'm just sayin!
My iPhone is a 16Gb 3G.
see ya:cool:

So did mine, until I restarted the phone. Now all is well.

[Di9it8]

It just shows that Google, IMO, Don't regard iPhone as competition, more as a partner.
I'm sure they've identified their principle competition as Win-Mo, and Symbian.
Also that there is a much bigger installed iPhone base as opposed to Android.

When Android was developed I would have thought that would have included Google Earth as part of the base code.

[G4R2]

I like this app. The standard Maps application is great but it lacks the web overlays of Google Earth, a feature I'd like to see expanded to include satellite weather like I have on the desktop client. Maps is great for directions but isn't an atlas type application that contains information about landmarks or geography.

I like what Google has done with multitouch. The implementation of a double finger tap to zoom out is useful. Autotilt is great as well. I wasn't expecting to see the map tilt when I held the phone up.

I'm looking forward to the next update already and to seeing this apps potential expanded upon.

[Fukui]

That guy is a zombie, and Google needs to hire a hand model. ;)

[deriko100]

Weird mine sames so choppy, i tried force quitting most of my apps so that itll hog less resources but its still choppy.

[Cameront9]

How big is the app? Space is still a premium to me so I'd rather not download something that takes up a lot of space that is in reality a toy (at least for me)...

[dmelgar]

How do you get street view? I don't see a way to do it. Does Google Earth on the iPhone support it? I expected to see little icons showing my available street view pictures, but they never show up for me.

[jmann]

Used it yesterday and it is awesome. :D

[iParis]

This is actually pretty cool, downloaded it this morning.
I found it on accident while browsing for apps.

How big is the app? Space is still a premium to me so I'd rather not download something that takes up a lot of space that is in reality a toy (at least for me)...

8.9MBs.

[Kaushal]

sadly its not yet available in India itunes store :(

[Rojo]

Just noticed Earthscape is now free (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=288154060&mt=8), since Google Earth is now out. I downloaded Earthscape during the short period it was free before, but wasn't impressed -- and it also crashed a lot. Google Earth has yet to crash on me, and seems to be a lot smoother overall...

[geerlingguy]

It's okay, but nowhere near as fast loading images as was shown in the demo. And that finger they used in the demo was quite scary! They need to hire Apple's finger to make the video a little more pleasant.

[THE JUICEMAN]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

I'm not sure if Apple would have let this app come through the app store if they just planned on shutting it down soon after. they have rejected plenty of apps for duplicating features already on the iPhone so they would have done the same here. even though street view is not here yet. just my $.02

[Tampa Tom]

Now the iPhone CPU isn't the fastest, but I like GEarth's iPhone app. I really like the feature where you tilt the phone an your view tilts and the "compass" on the iPhone's GEarth.

I showed it to a couple of my co-workers today and they were impressed.

[iPhoneJoe]

cool app! better than earthscape

[big samm]

in the app if you move your phone upward it will show you the sky and if you put it downward il will show you the land...works a liitle like android...anybody else notice that?

[eplchamps0304]

in the app if you move your phone upward it will show you the sky and if you put it downward il will show you the land...works a liitle like android...anybody else notice that?

whats in the sky? Aeroplanes?

[big samm]

whats in the sky? Aeroplanes?

birds!

[timimbo85]

anyone else notice the wi-fi was turned on. probably slower than hell w 3g or lower.

[pismodude2]

Kick. Ass.

[Di9it8]

whats in the sky? Aeroplanes?

If it were Vista it would be Pterodactyls :eek:

As its not we await GoogleSky/Stars ;)

[Tampa Tom]

anyone else notice the wi-fi was turned on. probably slower than hell w 3g or lower.

Works very well with the 3G but not as snappy as WiFi.

[.Chris]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

apple uses google maps kid

[fluffy]

Runs pretty slow on my original iPhone, even on WiFi. Also, I find the autotilt function to be pretty annoying (mostly because the UI is so laggy, and I tend to not hold my phone rigidly while I'm working it). Thankfully it can be turned off.

[.Chris]

If I already have Google Maps on my iPhone3G, then why do I need this App?
What does it add? Is it useful in real-time, or is it just something for research or to kill time?
I have never used Google Earth on a PC. I use Google Maps all the time though.

Thank you. :)

Image from Google..

a lot. Just like google earth for the computer.

I wouldnt be surprised if this does replace the actual maps app that comes pre-installed on all iphones and ipod touchs

[.Chris]

I'm pretty sure these satellite photos are a few years old, since my neighbors cars and my cars have changed, (my old cars are in two different street views and the license plates on both are visible; scary). Nice images on my iPhone and I was a bit dizzy when I tilted my iPhone and the terrain moved with me...:p

yahoo maps is even older. Do a search in Yahoo maps and you'll see its at least 5 years old. There is a new development of houses that over look the wetlands near my house that was just completed a year ago. Yahoo Maps still shows that land as a nursery. They didnt break ground for the houses till around 2003/2004. Yet Hybird shows the streets going the nursery

[rstansby]

Its ironic its gone to iPhone & iTouch before Android:D


I think it says a lot about Google. They could have held back the iPhone release so the android phone had a feature unavailable on the iPhone. Way to go Google for being a good company.

[rtdunham]

...I showed it to a couple of my co-workers today and they were impressed.

I like to be an apple "evangelist" and show off the products' features. But am i the only one whose Maps feature wouldn't impress anyone?

Mine's consistently located me one county, three cities, and five miles west of my suburban Greater Cincinnati location, using phone tower triangulation. I went to a lot of trouble to register my router, and neighboring routers i could sniff, with Skyhook. After a month or two, Maps with wi-fi enabled could locate me accurately. Now it's putting me even farther west than before, in a new (wrong) location via cellphone tower or wi-fi. It makes any mapping app useless.

Anyone have any tips on making locate me locate me? :)

[Clyde099]

I tried the app out last night and it was so very slow to load.
I didn't like it at all.

[queshy]

Battery life = 1 / (# of seconds in Google earth)

[PowerFullMac]

Looks cool but I dont see the point when the iPhone and iPod touch come with Maps.

[Manie Frizzle]

Battery life = 1 / (# of seconds in Google earth)

lol, man i thought i needed to recal my battery but it was the google earth all along.

[ruftytufty]

one of the reasons the presenter comes across a little strange is that his eyes are wide open doesn't blink at all. almost 18 seconds at the beginning. very unnatural.

[craigverse]

OMG next time google should call me. My fingers are much sexier than that creep. >_<

[Clete2]

Downloading now.. My dad told me about this.. but I don't understand why they didn't just implement it into Maps?

[Clete2]

I like to be an apple "evangelist" and show off the products' features. But am i the only one whose Maps feature wouldn't impress anyone?

Mine's consistently located me one county, three cities, and five miles west of my suburban Greater Cincinnati location, using phone tower triangulation. I went to a lot of trouble to register my router, and neighboring routers i could sniff, with Skyhook. After a month or two, Maps with wi-fi enabled could locate me accurately. Now it's putting me even farther west than before, in a new (wrong) location via cellphone tower or wi-fi. It makes any mapping app useless.

Anyone have any tips on making locate me locate me? :)

GPS? Or do you have a first-gen?

[crisss1205]

I'm pretty sure these satellite photos are a few years old, since my neighbors cars and my cars have changed, (my old cars are in two different street views and the license plates on both are visible; scary). Nice images on my iPhone and I was a bit dizzy when I tilted my iPhone and the terrain moved with me...:p

If you download Google Earth for Mac OS X or Windows it tells you when the pictures were taken. (Bottom right corner)

[MHerstand]

That guy looks freaky in the video. If you watch his eyes throughout, he just looks like a creeper. I understand that he had a large part in Google Earth's development, but you'd think they'd get someone a little more polished (or prep him a little better for "video conversation ads").

[crisss1205]

and what about software for navigation ? Sorry what sense does it make so see my location in the whole world but I am not able to navigate from a to b without having an active internet connection for google maps.

I need something to download for the navigation and not a **** what shows me where I am on the planet......wtf !
Without an internet connection this app wont work so it doesn't matter if you use the built in Maps App or the Google Earth App. It wont work without an internet connection.

It's called sarcasm. Apple's official excuse for pulling the other app was that it 'duplicated functionality found in iTunes.' Well this app also duplicates functionality already found on the iPhone, so why is it allowed and the podcaster over wifi not allowed?
It doesn't entirely copy Google Maps because in google maps you cant see terrain and other layers like Wikipeida.

[Clete2]

Wow, 5 minutes in that killed my phone.... and the downloading it over Edge. That too :P.

[Eso]

I think it says a lot about Google. They could have held back the iPhone release so the android phone had a feature unavailable on the iPhone. Way to go Google for being a good company.

I don't find that it says much of anything at all. Android is open source meaning they don't get any money for it. Furthermore, they don't make the handset that runs it.

[Keyhole]

I wish it had the ruler function...but very cool overall

[AdamInKent]

Hi all.

Be sure to check out the terms of use. It seems that you give Google rights to access all of your data: including voice! I'm not sure what they would be able to gain access to within the iPhone, but it might be that they not being as altruistic as they at first seem.

Adam

[severe]

I'm pretty sure these satellite photos are a few years old, since my neighbors cars and my cars have changed, (my old cars are in two different street views and the license plates on both are visible; scary). Nice images on my iPhone and I was a bit dizzy when I tilted my iPhone and the terrain moved with me...:p

If you download Google Earth for Mac OS X or Windows it tells you when the pictures were taken. (Bottom right corner)

In addition, the photos are a bit like a mosaic of different times. The photo of the part of the city that you live in will often be of a an entire different time than a photo from a mile away. A large city could be tens of photos from different days.

All the information is available on the Google Earth page.

[lazyrighteye]

This works really well.
Although it is rather wasted on a small screen. :)

Speaking of: I have the cable that connects iPhone to a TV for movie viewing. Neat.
Is there any way to connect iPhone to TV and it sees everything on the iPhone screen (like they do for Keynotes) like Mail, Calculator, etc.
I'd heart that option.
A lot.

[iPegboy]

in the video it looks like the roads are on the program with yellow lines. but i don't see them, or can't seem to turn them on. am i missing something simple here?

[Whistleway]

period. Great job Google. Sure is amazing to have the world in the pocket.

[Artofilm]

for all of the iPod touch folks. I'm assuming you need the internet to look at the maps?

It would be nice to have an app that would self-contain all of the maps in the program itself, rather than having to fetch them off of the internet. Especially since there is times where you can get lost on the road, and there isn't any internet either!

[TonyHoyle]

So far it's OK but I prefer google maps... this is much slower - seems to take an age just to load the same data. There are also no road overlays making it difficult to locate your position. The terrain option appears nonfunctional (I live on a hill, and it shows as a completely flat area, as does the entire surrounding region - a collection of hills and valleys).

The zooming in and out is quite cool.. but not quite enough the win me over.

[sgntscrawn]

That guy is a zombie, and Google needs to hire a hand model. ;)

Hehe, yeah, where's David Duchovny when you need him? :D

for all of the iPod touch folks. I'm assuming you need the internet to look at the maps?

It would be nice to have an app that would self-contain all of the maps in the program itself, rather than having to fetch them off of the internet. Especially since there is times where you can get lost on the road, and there isn't any internet either!

I'm sure that'd be nice, except that the Google Earth app probably already takes up a fair amount of space, let alone what all those images would take... good luck actually using it to listen to music - there'd be no space left!

[vandy1997]

That would make a lot of sense wouldn't it? But since we're talking about the iPhone, which is missing so many features, that one is one of them as well. It will play music, photos, and video, I believe. But it will not transmit the image for a game that you are playing on the phone. The controls are limited as well. It's really a shame.

Speaking of: I have the cable that connects iPhone to a TV for movie viewing. Neat.
Is there any way to connect iPhone to TV and it sees everything on the iPhone screen (like they do for Keynotes) like Mail, Calculator, etc.
I'd heart that option.
A lot.

[sgntscrawn]

That would make a lot of sense wouldn't it? But since we're talking about the iPhone, which is missing so many features, that one is one of them as well. It will play music, photos, and video, I believe. But it will not transmit the image for a game that you are playing on the phone. The controls are limited as well. It's really a shame.

And considering that practically every single digital camera has that feature, it can't exactly be that hard.

[razorianfly]

Although it's an excellent port, it needs one hell of a patch, and quick. I was browsing the globe for roughly 20-30 minutes,
and in that time it compeltely crashed out to the home-screen at least 8 times. :eek:

R-Fly

[kjs862]

I've installed this onto my iphone today, it works nice and all, but I don't think I'm going to use it and think I'm going to delete it from my phone. It doesn't offer anything different from the google maps application.

[mrcharlie91]

I don't see wasting space with this "constantly crash" app on my iPhone.

No point to install besides maps app. Also, quality seems little undone.

Good try though. Give us street view first.

[severe]

I can see why one would not want to take the space up on their iPhone, but Google Maps and Earth are very different.

For one, it's topographic, more global, and feature rich. (ok.. that's actually three.)

In most cases, these features are not needed. It's almost novelty. However, to say there's not much different than Maps is ridiculous.

[kramden88]

I love Google Earth but it's really buggy. I've tried to run it a dozen times and it's crashed within seconds so I've given up. I'm not sure the iPhone processor will be able to handle such an app. It probably can but they just need to work out the kinks. Here's hoping for a quick update.

[pgflmac]

Google map images are very, very old in many cases. Here in Florida many of the images are prior to the 2004 hurricane season and the data is useless - many, many buildings and other structures are gone. Google Earth is not the only app that suffers from ancient images. GPS Kit is another one. Meanwhile apps that use Microsoft Live Data images is much more current.

[equlizer]

Hi all.

Be sure to check out the terms of use. It seems that you give Google rights to access all of your data: including voice! I'm not sure what they would be able to gain access to within the iPhone, but it might be that they not being as altruistic as they at first seem.

Adam

I also read this and sounds kind of scary that they can use all the information in your phone and its not googles fault or responsibility due to 3rd party blah blah. I un-installed it right away. I might as well say "hey, install cameras in my house and keep an eye on me just in case" :rolleyes:

[severe]

Meanwhile apps that use Microsoft Live Data images is much more current.

Microwho?

Never heard of 'em.

[XxHOVESKOxX]

very nice app........... i just download it

[Mr. Giver '94]

What is the benefit of this App??? The iPhone already has Google maps built in... :confused: Can someone enlighten me on this or is it just a publicity move by Google. Seems odd that they are developing for the iPhone right after releasing their own attempt at a smartphone. Clearly shows their devotion to their own products. :rolleyes:

[RoboCop001]

I also read this and sounds kind of scary that they can use all the information in your phone and its not googles fault or responsibility due to 3rd party blah blah. I un-installed it right away. I might as well say "hey, install cameras in my house and keep an eye on me just in case" :rolleyes:

Wouldn't that violate the SDK requirements if it did that?

[bretm]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

That's probably when google would throw the kill switch on Apple's map app, which google made and licensed to them. Duh.

[SeaFox]

I'm disappointed in you people.

Six pages and not one "The world in the palm of my hand" joke.:D Although someone came close with a "world at my fingertips" comment.

[dgalvan123]

I had no crashing problems with google earth, but I always restart my iphone after installing a new app. Haven't had an app crash since I've got into that habit.

Google Earth works really well, though I was only testing it over wi-fi. I was also impressed at how fast the panoramio images pop up when you tap them.

I wish Google would make an easy way to import geotagged-flickr photos into panoramio, or that they would just allow geotagged flickr photos to appear in google earth. Don't want to have to move my photos from flickr to panoramio.

As for the "what will I use this for" question. . . probably just entertainment and showing off. It's free, and awesome. You can look anywhere on Earth at any time, and now you can do that on the bus.

Man sometimes I'm just amazed at technology. Imagine telling someone just 100 years ago that, in 100 years, they would be able to hold a tiny device that allows them to view the entire Earth, completely photographed by orbiting spacecraft, in the palm of your hand. Amazing.

[happydude]

awesome!!

[pubjoe]

expect Apple to turn on the KILL SWITCH soon, as soon as Apple sends Google the cease and desist letter for leaving Apple's OWN maps app, which by the way, now HAS STREET VIEW....

What are you talking about? "Apple's OWN maps app"?? ...Google have just made a variation of their own free pre-installed iPhone app. It's all good as far as apple are concerned.

[DigMe]

It would be nice to have an app that would self-contain all of the maps in the program itself,

From the department of redundancy department...

[Di9it8]

Wow, 5 minutes in that killed my phone.... and the downloading it over Edge. That too :P.
Just been Earthing for about 45 mins, surprisingly with very little battery drain.

[littlewaywelt]

This is a neat app, but what's the point? Seriously, can anyone give a practical application of how they might use this in real life to solve some sort of problem?

[davidwarren]

This is a neat app, but what's the point? Seriously, can anyone give a practical application of how they might use this in real life to solve some sort of problem?

oh man, if that's your standard, say goodbye to about 95% of the app store.

[ohho]

sadly its not yet available in India itunes store :(

You can get a US iTunes account easily ;)

How to get a US iTunes account... (http://sites.google.com/site/clomputing/blog/howtogetausitunesaccounttodownloadgoogleeeath)

[Artofilm]

From the department of redundancy department...

I don't see why my statement was redundant?
I understand it would take up a good amount of space on the iPod, but for some of us iPod touch users, it would be nice.

I'm not sure but I don't think even GPS units have huge memory in them, even with all of their maps built in.

[smt1192]

This app is going to be sick.

[CommanderData]

oh man, if that's your standard, say goodbye to about 95% of the app store.

I think 95% is a conservative estimate :D

[nicktr]

Not available in Hong Kong.....along with, er, MUSIC, er, MOVIES and er, TV shows. :mad:

[Randman]

This is a neat app, but what's the point? Seriously, can anyone give a practical application of how they might use this in real life to solve some sort of problem?

I doubt that is the intention of the App.

[br0adband]

It's amazing that people are questioning the usefulness of Google Earth on the iPhone/iPod touch.

Yet they'd almost line up to download iBeer or some other absolutely useless worthless piece of code that does nothing more than give a laugh or two for a few seconds time...

I mean really, what is it with some of you. Google Earth? Useless? Pishaw.

Works fine here on an iPt 1st gen with 2.1 on it, no issues so far and all I have at home is a crappy old 11b router, go figure. :p

[Luap]

It's amazing that people are questioning the usefulness of Google Earth on the iPhone/iPod touch.



I wouldn't say it was useless. The point is however, for many folk, myself included, is that it doesn't really do anything that Google Maps doesn't do. And we've had that on the iPhone for ages already.
From what i've seen, the images are even the same. Plus the Google Maps app has the benefit of road mapping etc.
All Google Earth offers above it is, erm, hmm, tilt? And not that much else.

As I say, it's not bad at all. But we basically had it already, albeit in a slightly different form. So I don't quite see why folks get quite so excited about Google Earth for the iPhone.

[DigMe]

I don't see why my statement was redundant?
I understand it would take up a good amount of space on the iPod, but for some of us iPod touch users, it would be nice.

I'm not sure but I don't think even GPS units have huge memory in them, even with all of their maps built in.

"self-contain in itself" is redundant (paraphrased). if it's self contained then there is no need to indicate "in itself". Just being silly. I wasn't making a comment about your point. That's why I only quoted that one line. Sorry for the silly confusion.

[ohho]

Not available in Hong Kong.....along with, er, MUSIC, er, MOVIES and er, TV shows. :mad:

Just create a US iTunes a/c to get the app ... http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=6514738#post6514738

[johndoe588]

I installed Google Earth minutes after I read it was available. 1st gen phone, runs surprisingly well. Love it on all the other computers in the house, I'm amazed it's on the iPhone now, too. Between this and x-plane I'll be less productive than ever!

John B.

[canadacow]

I noticed a lot of reviews complaining of stability regarding Google Earth. I find this irksome as the more I research the issue (my 3D app fell victim to this issue as well) I've come to realize that this has little to do with the stability of the app one is running (be it Google Earth or say Bugdom 2) and more to do with the background apps the iPhone has running when the app is opened.

It's all starting to really make sense. The iPhone has no swap and therefore to make memory available to the foreground app, it asks (and then makes) background apps close. All of these background apps are Apple written or Apple endorsed. But that's just it. As the iPhone tries to clear up memory for the foreground app, if the background app does something unexpected in closing, it takes the foreground app (and in severe cases the entire iPhone) with it.

There is little iPhone developers can do to prevent this from happening. The best solution this far is to allocate memory slowly in small chunks, allowing as much garbage collection to take place in between allocations as possible. This "improves stability", but if the memory requirements for any given app are high enough, stability issues will rear their ugly head.

This I think is central to Apple's policy of not allowing applications to run in the background. Stability is already affected by the Apple written apps on their behavior when forced to close. Letting user written apps do the same would only compound the problem exponentially.

[LiveForever]

Its OK but hard to use. I can't figure out what the tilt the iphone does. Yes I see the map changing but I can't control what it does or figure out what its suppose to do.

It's all a little fiddely.

Yes OK I suppose.

[g-7]

I wonder why it is not available in the Polish App Store. Or Hungarian. Or Russian. Or Israeli. Or many others.

I mean, really, there is a whole wide world outside the United States.
And Google Maps team should know that, they're making maps of it, after all... ;)

[Gravity]

This google earth app is of little use to me. All the animation is nice... but when I WANT something... the maps app is all I need and I'm not wasting time waiting for an animation to load.

I really don't have any practical use for it. And it's kind of jittery in function on an original 8 GB iPHone.

[cbrain]

And it's kind of jittery in function on an original 8 GB iPHone.

...and on a 1st generation iPod Touch.

[STC]

I dl'd Google Earth last night. I have a 8gb 1st gen iPhone. While its a cool lil app, i find it very hard to use w/ the tilt feature, it booted me out of the app 1/2 of the time I use it, and its sooooooooooo f'n slow on edge.

[redman042]

My, there sure are a lot of whiners in this thread. :confused:

No, Google Earth is not the most useful app in the world in terms of pure productivity. Neither was the desktop version. But it is damned cool, and one of the most impressive demonstrations of the power of this phone. I'm extremely happy it is available for the iPhone.

C'mon people, live a little.

[severe]

C'mon people, live a little.

jerk. ;)