Google Earth, the popular 3D interactive map and globe application, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 10th. To mark this momentous occasion, the Mountain View-based tech giant is introducing a new feature – historical Street View imagery. This new addition will allow users to travel back in time and explore the evolution of our world through Google Earth.
For those unfamiliar with Google Earth, it is a virtual globe that allows users to view and navigate through satellite images, maps, terrain, and 3D buildings. It was first launched in 2001 and has since become a go-to tool for anyone looking to explore different parts of the world from the comfort of their own home.
Over the years, Google Earth has continuously evolved and introduced new features to enhance the user experience. However, the addition of historical Street View imagery is a game-changer that takes this application to a whole new level.
So, what exactly is historical Street View imagery? It is a feature that allows users to view previous versions of Google Street View images. This means that users can now see how a particular street or location has transformed over time. For example, you can see how a bustling city street looked like 10 years ago and compare it to its current state.
The historical Street View imagery feature is available for both desktop and mobile versions of Google Earth. Users can access it by clicking on the clock icon on the top left corner of the screen. From there, they can choose a specific year to see the available Street View images from that time.
This new feature is not only a treat for users but also a valuable tool for historians, researchers, and urban planners. It allows them to study the changes that have taken place in different parts of the world and gain a deeper understanding of our planet’s evolution.
According to Google, the company has been working on this feature for the past few years, and it has been a challenging yet rewarding project. The team had to sift through billions of Street View images and use machine learning to accurately align them with their corresponding locations on the map. This process was necessary to ensure that the images are correctly placed in their historical context.
The historical Street View imagery feature is currently available for 37 cities around the world, including New York, Tokyo, Paris, and London. However, Google has stated that they plan to expand this feature to more cities in the future.
In addition to the historical Street View imagery, Google Earth has also introduced a new feature called “Timelapse.” It allows users to see how our planet has changed over the past 37 years, from 1984 to 2020. This feature is a collaboration between Google, NASA, the US Geological Survey, and the European Space Agency. It provides a fascinating and visually stunning look at how natural and man-made changes have shaped our world.
The introduction of these new features on Google Earth’s 20th anniversary is a testament to the company’s commitment to constantly innovate and provide its users with the best possible experience. It also highlights the role of technology in helping us understand and appreciate our planet’s history and changes.
In conclusion, Google Earth’s historical Street View imagery is a remarkable addition that will undoubtedly enhance the user experience and offer valuable insights into our world’s evolution. It is a must-try feature for anyone who enjoys exploring and learning about different places. We can’t wait to see what other amazing features Google has in store for us in the future. Happy 20th anniversary, Google Earth! Here’s to many more years of virtual exploration and discovery.
