Google Earth for Apple: Does Anyone Have The Beta?

[neocell]

So just read at AppleInsider (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1408) that there's a beta version of Google Earth floating around the internet. Does anyone here have access to it, or could point me/us in the right direction to get a copy of it. Thanks

[capone2]

I went to the website but it said what it's always said "not yet". It is going to be amazing.



PB G4 15" 1.67ghz 1gigram.
iPod Nano/white 4GB

[Dagless]

ooo... I've just found out about Google Earth on PC (im late, i know). Google Earth on my powerbook would just be very, very... very good.

[themacmaestro]

I haven't found it either... hope it shows up soon!

[killuminati]

I'v been waiting so long for this. I'm gonna look around some torrent sites and see if I can find it.

[Apple]

This would be pretty sweet. The thing I like about the Google Earth PC is the thing where you can change the view from birdseye to something like eyelevel

[bousozoku]

If you find it, don't post a link from anyone but Google, please.

If they want you to have it, they'll let you know.

[pknz]

Yes I have the beta, it looks very good as it does on a Windows PC.

[neocell]

Yes I have the beta, it looks very good as it does on a Windows PC.
How did you get it?
Where did you get it?
Won't you share?
Please:D

[pknz]

If you find it, don't post a link from anyone but Google, please.

If they want you to have it, they'll let you know.

I am forbidden to say, sorry. I don't think it is too far off completion.

[Diatribe]

There is a link floating around all over the internet... even in this forum. I've been using it for 2 days now and it is friggin' shweet :D

[edesignuk]

It does seems stable enough, kind of surprised Google haven't just released the Beta as is. We all know they're not afraid of releasing Betas to the public at large before they finalise things.

[andysmith]

It runs great on my PowerBook.

Overall, it works well, and it's stable - but it's missing a few features like Printing, saving images, and emailing.

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/647/screenshot91220051khtn0ff.jpg

[liketom]

where where where is it !!!

google say's it there but unable to find it on the download section

[JeDiBoYTJ]

<link removed>

mod note: Do NOT post links to this. Until Google release it links to downloads will be considered piracy.

[Lord Blackadder]

I've been waiting for a Mac release for too long....:(

It runs surprisingly well on my 500MHz PIII with a Radeon 7000....but I want it on my G4 with its 2005FPW!!!

Hurry up Google.

[Danksi]

Looks good on my machines. It's soooo last year though. ;)

Had a play last night, I noticed they've updated the pic of my old house in the UK. Now I remember why I left - crowded or what! 51&#176;55'2.54"N - 0&#176;39'51.78"W

[Lord Blackadder]

Had a play last night, I noticed they've updated the pic of my old house in the UK. Now I remember why I left - crowded or what!

The photo containing my house is at least 2 years old, because I can see my previous car in the driveway.

I also noticed that they blurred out the image of the nuclear power plant 30 miles from my house...it took me awhile to figure out why there was a big blur in one spot and then I had a forehead-slapping moment of realization. Duh. :D

[Danksi]

The photo containing my house is at least 2 years old, because I can see my previous car in the driveway.

I also noticed that they blurred out the image of the nuclear power plant 30 miles from my house...it took me awhile to figure out why there was a big blur in one spot and then I had a forehead-slapping moment of realization. Duh. :D

That's the radiation interferring with the satellite's sensor. Nice.

[J@ffa]

On a TOTALLY unrelated note, isn't TUAW so good? Here's a story about this: http://www.tuaw.com/2005/12/08/google-earth-in-the-works-for-mac-os-x/

I really love their comments system. It's really, uh, well designed. If I were you I'd check it out. Ahem.

[EricNau]

That's the radiation interferring with the satellite's sensor. Nice.

I doubt it - it was probably blurred out for security reasons. Just like they recently painted our large propane tanks white to make them appear like water towers. **No Propane here, cough** :D

[EricNau]

I've been waiting so long I was convinced Google was just waiting for the intel Apples, so I'm glad to see that they are infact releasing it for current models.

[J@ffa]

That's the radiation interferring with the satellite's sensor. Nice.

Haha, I doubt there's a reactor leaking radiation. It's probably blurred for security reasons - the same thing happens with the White House, there are a couple of adjacent buildings where the rooftops are blurred. The blurring is hiding a few anti-aircraft missile batteries, in case you were wondering. :D

[Danksi]

I doubt it - it was probably blurred out for security reasons. Just like they recently painted our large propane tanks white to make them appear like water towers. **No Propane here, cough** :D

Haha, I doubt there's a reactor leaking radiation. It's probably blurred for security reasons - the same thing happens with the White House, there are a couple of adjacent buildings where the rooftops are blurred. The blurring is hiding a few anti-aircraft missile batteries, in case you were wondering. :D

Sorry - I left out the :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Lord Blackadder]

That's the radiation interferring with the satellite's sensor. Nice.

I think it was actually done for security reasons. A perfect square area has been blurred. looks like a censor.

[pknz]

One big I noticed: I managed to lose the earth for a brief period. It then suddenly reappeared

[andysmith]

The photo containing my house is at least 2 years old, because I can see my previous car in the driveway.

I also noticed that they blurred out the image of the nuclear power plant 30 miles from my house...it took me awhile to figure out why there was a big blur in one spot and then I had a forehead-slapping moment of realization. Duh. :D
The higher definition UK images is a new thing, I think - when I was playing with Google Earth a couple of weeks ago on a PC I built for a friend, all of Wolverhampton was a blur. Now I can even see the table in my garden :eek:
I think most of the UK pictures are from 2003, from the buildings that have been knocked down or built since.

where where where is it !!!

google say's it there but unable to find it on the download section
Hit cached and you'll see what it's actually finding that phrase from:
http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:dAy47kePGUgJ:www.google.com/downloads/+google+earth+os+x+beta&hl=en

[Danksi]

The higher definition UK images is a new thing, I think - when I was playing with Google Earth a couple of weeks ago on a PC I built for a friend, all of Wolverhampton was a blur. Now I can even see the table in my garden :eek:
I think most of the UK pictures are from 2003, from the buildings that have been knocked down or built since.

The pic for my old place is more than 2years old - as our old neighbour's shed doesn't appear.

[Lacero]

Good lord. The Terrain feature is amazing!

Now, if we could only cache the entire planet on our hard drives. :D


Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[liketom]

it's available in the "secret" places... where unicorns play D&D.
i found where them unicorns are at, and they all had iPods :eek:

cache the planet:cool:

[mikeyredk]

I wonder if they are using core image?

[Danksi]

I wonder if they are using core image?

... well you can occasionally see a 'ripple effect' coming from California - perhaps it's Job's distortion thingy? ;)

[mcmillan]

For those who have a copy, how's performance in your Mac? In my Mac Mini (see specs in my sig), there's some issues in the 512x512 detail area resolution (default one). When I browse earth, the mouse "skips" a lot, it's not very smooth. When I go and check my Activity Monitor, the app only takes around 30% of CPU, 130Mb of RAM, and 373 Mb of Virtual memory. And there's still a lot of free RAM, CPU, and virtual memory. To me it seems like some kind of compatibility problem or something. So to use the app smoothly I have to lower the texture to 256x256. My Mac is less than year old, I know is a Mac Mini, but still, I have seen users talking about great performance in under 1Ghz Macs. Any suggestions to improve performance a little bit so I can use it with 512x512?

[rickvanr]

Aside that it's an application, how is this any different then google maps satellite view?

[Jovian9]

Pretty cool. Though it is pretty slow (and takes about 20 bounces to open up) on my RevC 1.9GHz iMac G5 with 1.5GB RAM.

For those who have a copy, how's performance in your Mac? In my Mac Mini (see specs in my sig), there's some issues in the 512x512 detail area resolution (default one). When I browse earth, the mouse "skips" a lot, it's not very smooth. When I go and check my Activity Monitor, the app only takes around 30% of CPU, 130Mb of RAM, and 373 Mb of Virtual memory. And there's still a lot of free RAM, CPU, and virtual memory. To me it seems like some kind of compatibility problem or something. So to use the app smoothly I have to lower the texture to 256x256. My Mac is less than year old, I know is a Mac Mini, but still, I have seen users talking about great performance in under 1Ghz Macs. Any suggestions to improve performance a little bit so I can use it with 512x512?

[Lacero]

Aside that it's an application, how is this any different then google maps satellite view?

This is a seriously cool feature. I think in about 2 years time, we'll see realistic renderings for all major metropolitan areas. This is where it's heading anyway.

http://www3.telus.net/poojja/googleearth.jpg

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[Dale Sorel]

Here you go: http://homepage.mac.com/hogfish/.Public/Google_Earth.zip

[rickvanr]

This is a seriously cool feature. I think in about 2 years time, we'll see realistic renderings for all major metropolitan areas. This is where it's heading anyway.

http://www3.telus.net/poojja/googleearth.jpg

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

We'll that is very cool indeed. I just wish I could zoom into my house, but I don't live near a big city, so the only way I can identify my house is the three islands on the st. lawrence infront of it.

[Flynnstone]

Very VERY cool :)
I am going to upgrade to the Plus version. Anyone else?

[JeDiBoYTJ]

WOW! the mods are really stubborn!

Although it is still not officially released... it is posted on MacUpdate (www.macupdate.com) ... now, if it was illegal and considered piracy, i highly doubt that site would post it, although im not posting a direct link to it, just do the search and you should find it.... maybe this post wont get deleted :rolleyes:

[edit]
oh and... *cough* (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=166260) ... hey, dont get mad at me, this is on YOUR website!

[EricNau]

^^^
Ouch, that had to hurt. :D

[Fukui]

Yes I have the beta, it looks very good as it does on a Windows PC.
Are you sure?

I think its crap.

Not worth the 10 sec it takes to download.

[killuminati]

Very VERY cool :)
I am going to upgrade to the Plus version. Anyone else?

What are the benefits of the plus version?

[Counterfit]

Does anyone else get static from iTunes when moving the cursor while in the app? :confused: The audio also seems to slow down.

[dubbz]

Good lord. The Terrain feature is amazing!

Now, if we could only cache the entire planet on our hard drives. :D

I suspect we'd hit the 2GB cache limit before that... I actually began doing it with the Win version (by zooming in and spinning the globe and doing something else for a while :p), but I kind of gave up.

What are the benefits of the plus version?

From Google:

* GPS data import - read in tracks and waypoints from select GPS devices
o Note 1: Verified support for Magellan and Garmin devices only
o Note 2: Does not support export of tracks or waypoints to a GPS
* Higher resolution printing (greater than screen resolution).
* Customer support via email (not just web).
* Annotation – adds draw/sketch tools for richer annotations (can be shared as KML).
* Data importer – read address points from .csv files.

[Lacero]

Google will make a ton of money from Google Earth by incorporating ads and making the service into the 21st century yellow pages. Gosh darnit, I wish I was 5 again.



Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[neocell]

For those who have a copy, how's performance in your Mac? In my Mac Mini (see specs in my sig), there's some issues in the 512x512 detail area resolution (default one). When I browse earth, the mouse "skips" a lot, it's not very smooth. When I go and check my Activity Monitor, the app only takes around 30% of CPU, 130Mb of RAM, and 373 Mb of Virtual memory. And there's still a lot of free RAM, CPU, and virtual memory. To me it seems like some kind of compatibility problem or something. So to use the app smoothly I have to lower the texture to 256x256. My Mac is less than year old, I know is a Mac Mini, but still, I have seen users talking about great performance in under 1Ghz Macs. Any suggestions to improve performance a little bit so I can use it with 512x512?
I was getting the mouse skipping action as well on a G4 800 iMac, was a little annoying. Haven't tried it on my 1GHz iMac or PB yet though. Hopefully they're better with it. Could be a graphics card issue?:confused:

[WinterMute]

WOW! the mods are really stubborn!

Although it is still not officially released... it is posted on MacUpdate (www.macupdate.com) ... now, if it was illegal and considered piracy, i highly doubt that site would post it, although im not posting a direct link to it, just do the search and you should find it.... maybe this post wont get deleted :rolleyes:

[edit]
oh and... *cough* (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=166260) ... hey, dont get mad at me, this is on YOUR website!

Stubborn no, consistent yes.

At the time of posting this was leaked software and hence illegal, whatever other sites may choose to do.

Mind, we choose not to walk under ladders too, it's all relative.

[Lau]

It looks as if MacUpdate have removed it now, so it's maybe a good thing that it wasn't posted here.

[Flynnstone]

For those who have a copy, how's performance in your Mac? In my Mac Mini (see specs in my sig),

I'm on a mini as well. Not stellar performance, but very cool none the less. Perhaps thee bottle neck is somewhere other than the CPU. Perhaps in the GPU in the video card? Anyone using this on a higher end machine?

[andysmith]

I was getting the mouse skipping action as well on a G4 800 iMac, was a little annoying. Haven't tried it on my 1GHz iMac or PB yet though. Hopefully they're better with it. Could be a graphics card issue?:confused:

I got that with an iBook and my eMac, but it's fine on my PowerBook.

[iMeowbot]

It looks as if MacUpdate have removed it now, so it's maybe a good thing that it wasn't posted here.
(in re the message at MacUpdate) That's true for all the download links, none of the copies still listed on this site or anywhere else have been offered with the permission of Google.

Google don't seem interested in going all litigious, but it's pretty clear that they aren't happy that the pre-release version is being distributed. It gives the false impression that they release buggier software than they really would, but this thing hasn't been released. It's also going to cause them to be inundated with support questions from people who don't understand that this is still a leaked build, and of course Google are now in a position that they'll probably need to tell people to go away.

[ITASOR]

LOL. Did you guys asking for the link think of searching? *Read the MacBytes forum*.

http://www.macbytes.com/link.php?sid=20051209183417

Or that macbytes link.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

(in re the message at MacUpdate) That's true for all the download links, none of the copies still listed on this site or anywhere else have been offered with the permission of Google.

Google don't seem interested in going all litigious, but it's pretty clear that they aren't happy that the pre-release version is being distributed. It gives the false impression that they release buggier software than they really would, but this thing hasn't been released. It's also going to cause them to be inundated with support questions from people who don't understand that this is still a leaked build, and of course Google are now in a position that they'll probably need to tell people to go away.

every site that I have seen the copy of, clearly states that it is an 'unofficial beta copy', and anyone would half a brain can tell that it is not a complete version... but hey, the windows version was released under beta in the same way... so, maybe google actually leaked it out themselves :-p

[randas]

I got a copy, but I cant get it to run on my iBook

[iMeowbot]

every site that I have seen the copy of, clearly states that it is an 'unofficial beta copy',
None of the download links say anything of the sort, they do have a lot of ads and flashy counters though. Only people sent to them indirectly through blog pages and the like will see that part.

[Phat_Pat]

i thought this was funny

[cgratti]

Hmmmm,

The birthplace of our Macs

Brought to you from Google Earth, Mac version!

[slimflem]

<link removed>

mod note: Do NOT post links to this. Until Google release it links to downloads will be considered piracy.

Incorrect grammer and you are calling free software piracy. It amazes me how people come up with this stuff.

[mcmillan]

Well, there are a few users complaining about the mouse skipping. My guess is that the problem is with the GPU. As I said already, while running Google Earth my RAM wasn't used completely, nor my CPU or my virtual memory. Anyway, if it's the graphic card, I'm very sure that Google will find a way to boost performance, I mean it's stupid that my Mac struggles even though there is over 500Mb of free and incatvie memory and 50% of CPU being used by the app. (Someone correct me if my technical conclusions are wrong :p )

Let's remember that this copy is leaked (even though it's all over the web and in MacUpdate). This is still a beta that shouldn't be public, I've seen a LOT of bugs already (tilt issues, route lines not complete, some features disabled, etc. just to name a few). So I'm very positive about Google making this app really polished before it's officially released.

Anyway, at 256x256 I can still have a lot of fun, this is probably the app that I've been waiting the most. Viewing the whole world from the top is just incredible. When I was a kid I saved some money and bought a poster of my home city form the space, and now with GE the whole earth is right in front of me.

This might be just a sneak peak of what we're going to see from Google in the next few years. :)

[andysmith]

I got a copy, but I cant get it to run on my iBook
Have you put it in your Applications folder? It won't run anywhere else.

[VanNess]

Notable is that this version isn't compiled as a dual binary

[Diatribe]

Incorrect grammer and you are calling free software piracy. It amazes me how people come up with this stuff.

First off all if you're going to pick on grammar (see the correct spelling here?) check your spelling. Secondly, Front Row for example is free also, but until Apple releases it publicly for other Macs, distributing it is considered piracy or whatever you want to call it. At least in that country in which the server that hosts MR is set up.
That's not to say that I don't see anything wrong with it, but as this is my personal opinion and not the site owner's it doesn't count much, nor does yours... :D

[killuminati]

Incorrect grammer and you are calling free software piracy. It amazes me how people come up with this stuff.

It's actually probably just a typo. It was probably meant to be:

mod note: Do NOT post links to this. Until Google releases it, links to downloads will be considered piracy.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

First off all if you're going to pick on grammar (see the correct spelling here?) check your spelling. Secondly, Front Row for example is free also, but until Apple releases it publicly for other Macs, distributing it is considered piracy or whatever you want to call it. At least in that country in which the server that hosts MR is set up.
That's not to say that I don't see anything wrong with it, but as this is my personal opinion and not the site owner's it doesn't count much, nor does yours... :D

yes, Front Row is 'technically' free, BUT it is against the EULA\License when you purchase the iMac G5 to redistribute it to any other computer. Show me where it says anything like that about Google Earth (not talking to you specifically (Diatribe), just making a general statement.)

PS: I also find it quite humorous when the ones who are correcting others grammar, fail to spell it correctly :p

[Eidorian]

Have you put it in your Applications folder? It won't run anywhere else.I've run it off the desktop. It only runs on 10.4.

[Diatribe]

yes, Front Row is 'technically' free, BUT it is against the EULA\License when you purchase the iMac G5 to redistribute it to any other computer. Show me where it says anything like that about Google Earth (not talking to you specifically (Diatribe), just making a general statement.)

PS: I also find it quite humorous when the ones who are correcting others grammar, fail to spell it correctly :p

Yeah, you're right it doesn't. Because the version that is being distributed doesn't have an EULA. That doesn't mean that one doesn't exist though. Given the fact there is none, I agree with you.

[Flynnstone]

I think we can all agree that copying software that is for sale (for $$$) and then using the software without paying for it : is piracy.

Using software in a way that is not in agreement with the EULA is in breach of the agreement. I'm not sure if this is piracy.

If there is no EULA, how can there be a breach?
It boils down to ethics.

[dannnyh]

:) woohoo, been waiting for this for ages. Seems to work just fine to me. Weird thing though, my 4 year old house is on the PC version but on this version the road had not even started to be built which means the pic is at least 5 years old.

[corywoolf]

Have you put it in your Applications folder? It won't run anywhere else.
Not true. I run it off my desktop fine.

[pknz]

Thought this is fairly typical of the Bill Gates view on the world, and typical of a M$ Microsoft Earth Deletes Apple HQ (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/25/msn_earth_deletes_aple/)