Google Earth Live - Full Review

Of the many recent technological events thrust upon us, Google Earth live was arguably one of the best hi-tec software advancements in recent years. Google maps upped the anti, turned up the heat more than several notches and delivered a superb piece of software gadgetry the likes of which many of us had never before encountered.

We can now view the world more than just virtually - we can actually see real live streets, highways and by-ways, forests, oceans, mountain ranges and so much more. And none of which requires the raising of ourselves from our very comfortable easy chairs.

Are we impressed? Yes we are. Why? Well that parts easy - Google gave us the opportunity to see into the four corners of the globe, no matter the day, the time, the weather, and all without anyone of us having to spend a single dime.

Google Earth live is more than just impressive - it's also remarkable and inspiring. It's more than just a piece of clever software. We can view more then just the earth live ... we can look to the heavens and chart different heavenly bodies.

We can circumnavigate Mars and the Moon - even the dark side. The Earth Viewer software that powers live earth is pretty awesome. We can plot, plan, visit and view. We can surf around potential holiday destinations, consider whether or not a particular place in a foreign country may be the place we wish to migrate to, or not.

We can almost feel as though we're on the outside looking in and all without getting wet, having to move, book flights or pack heavy suitcases. For the main, Goggle Earth live was and remains a major coup for the search engine corporation.

If you haven't yet surfed around our wonderful world courtesy of this piece of free software, perhaps now's the time you tried. Trust me - you won't be disappointed!

What is Google Earth live? Simply put, it's a innovative piece of 3D software, that allows users to view the globe by way of satellite imagery. It was originally developed pre 2004 by a company called Keyhole Inc.

The company was a leading software development organization, that had its primary focus based on and around geo-data and the development of the visual imagery of said data. Prior to being acquired by Google in 2004, the group had already created a software application called Earth Viewer.

Twelve months later, it was released as Google Earth. It went live and was received by the {virtual} world at large as being a supreme piece of software with potentially wide ranging capabilities.

Currently, the same software is used to a lesser degree in both Google Maps and Google Mobile. Since the software's original birthing point, the live earth imagery and application have gone from strength to strength.

Now, the whole world has access to - well ... the whole world. The clarity with which it can be viewed is based upon popularity (of places searched for/viewed) and of course whether a specific place, point or zone on the global map is of significant interest to the world population - or not.

That is not to say that Google Earth live has blind spots or areas of resolution that are anything less than clear, it's just that Google knows its job and prefers to provide users with perfect resolution where it's most needed.

One of the great things about this software is the fact that Google Earth is free. 100% gratis! You can pay for the business version, should you choose to do so but unless there's a real need for you to do some serious mapping and plotting, it's not worth paying for.

Many users chart specific places, make notes and share their info with other users by way of blogging platforms and similar - Google even makes this particular aspect of it incredibly easy!

Two years ago,Google Earth live was further enhanced by way of Google Street View, a great side ap that has gained in massive popularity since its inception. Users around the world happily while away their time looking at street level views of very specific areas - by way of searching via zip codes and the like.

Now internet users can show each other where they live, from across the miles. They can discuss quirks of the surrounding area - and show them - as well as see where it is their friends live, where a family member has moved to or even view an area at street level with regard to a potential house purchase or other type of relocation.

Another great aspect of Google Earth live is the fact that language is not a barrier! The software is now available in 37 different languages which further enhances its abilities as the market leading global virtual mapping software currently available. Judging on the fact that it's owned by the search engine corporation - that doesn't look to be changing anytime soon.

In the last year, Google Earth mobile has arrived. Now those in possession of android style phones, such as an iPhone or a Blackberry, can download Google Earth live straight onto their cell phones.

It's surely another great way to enjoy the wider ranging software, due to the fact that we can now find our location, one that we're heading to or check ahead for things such as weather conditions, local restaurants, accommodation and more.

As stated on the dedicated blog:

"you will never need to carry a paper map again!"

You can also use the application for more than a simple map browsing session - you can:

• search for local amenities
• get driving directions
• use GPS
• check out the street view
• see what the traffic's doing on your desired route

If you have any of the following cell phones:

• Blackberry
• iPhone
• Android (type)
• Nokia (with android capabilities)

... then it's likely that your cell will support Google Earth mobile. Check with your phone's manufacturer to find out the details prior to purchase.

The Google Earth Street View software is, as previously mentioned, another incredible aspect of the satellite application - and possibly the most popular feature.

The simple addition of a zip code, an address, a street name or similar into the search bar will take the user to whole new levels of voyeuristic scrutiny ... albeit from a virtual viewpoint.

Drop to the floor - literally - and trek around famous streets, cities and vistas. Take a peek at Hollywood Boulevard, the streets around the Louvre in Paris ... or settle for a sneak preview of where you may be relocating to sometime in the future.

Google Earth really is an incredibly fascinating application and it's easy to see why the user can end up whiling away precious hours whilst Google hopping their way around the globe.

If you haven't already availed yourself of the Street View function - perhaps it's time you did!

Accessing Google Earth online couldn't be easier. All you need to do is browse for the download, open and set up the file, add an icon to your desktop and from that point, you're set up to access Google Earth live as and when you please.

I have the software placed on my desktop and have used it on numerous occasions for a myriad of reasons, some of which have already been mentioned throughout this article. How your choose to use the software is entirely up to you but you can rest assured that it is easier to use than it would first appear.

A quick recap of what the application can do and what is currently available:

• Google Sky
• Google Moon
• Google Flight Simulator
• Google Street View
• Google Maps
• Google Ocean
• Google Earth Plug-In

As you can see, its reach is wide ranging and the future potential for the software is far reaching. Technological advancements continue unabated so perhaps in the near future Google Earth live will have more capabilities - though what they could be ... only Google knows!