Google released a beta of its Google Earth program for the Mac.
Google has released a version of its Google Earth program for the Macintosh. Interestingly Google Earth for Windows ends its beta-test period, just as the Google Earth for Mac beta launches.
The virtual Earth simulation software incorporates maps, driving directions, and satellite images with Google Search capabilities. It allows users to zoom and pan over three-dimensional virtual cities and landscapes, drilling down from space to overhead details.
Users can enter in an address or attraction and zoom in from an outer space view for a tight birds-eye view. The software lets you rotate and angle 3-D buildings and terrain features, such as hills and canyons, to be viewed from multiple perspectives. The software also can overlay all sorts of data—everything from hotel and restaurant locations to informative location-based posts on nearby attractions by other Google Earth users; that information displays directly on the maps.
Ever since Google Earth for Windows was launched last June, the program has attracted more than its fair share of controversy.
A few months ago, echoing concerns already expressed by countries such as South Korea, Thailand and Netherlands, President A P J Abdul Kalam, voiced concern over Google Earth saying that terrorists and other subversive elements would use these satellite images for their nefarious activities.
At the time, Google indicated willingness to hold discussions with the government on the issue. Recently the government constituted an "expert group" to review the application, and suggest ways to safeguard the country’s interests.
Google says that Google Earth for the Mac has all the capabilities of the PC version, which was released in beta last June and hit official release status at the same time the Mac beta was rolled out.
On the contrary, some reports suggest that the Mac version also includes GPS support. There are several devices that currently support the Google Earth KML including Garmin devices, Google spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez said. GPS device owners can choose to export their GPS data as KML and view it in Google Earth. Additionally, there are many geocachers creating KML treks. The Geocaching.com Web site also supports the KML format for viewing in Google Earth.
Google Earth for Mac is available free-of-cost. With this program, Mac users can engage in the immersive mapping experience that Google Earth affords.
Available in beta for 10.4.x OS; Google Earth for Mac offers the same features as the PC version of Google Earth, including animated driving directions, zoom in and out capabilities, 3D images of buildings and landscapes, panning features, et al.
The system requirements for the Google Earth Mac application are Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger), 1.5GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and 2GB of free disk space.
Google Earth for Mac is downloadable from http://earth.google.com. However, Google has no definitive announcement as to when to expect Mac versions of its enhanced products—Google Earth Plus, a $20 upgrade that imports data from spreadsheets and has some drawing features, and Google Earth Pro, designed for professional use by realtors, insurance agents, and government employees that can include information such as traffic counts and the National Realtor’s Board shopping center data. Both enhanced products are available for Microsoft Windows.