San Francisco — Most of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, which we land-lubbers have a difficult time exploring on our own. Google Earth enthusiasts who own smartphones powered by Google Earth for Android adds an ocean layer to its application for surveying our planet. The new capability has been just added into the mix with the launch of Google Earth 1.1 for Android, namely ocean diving.
Google Earth 1.1 for Android delivers a few new interesting features, but most significantly the inclusion of the oceans. With the new software application and underwater exploratory landscapes, Android users can tap their inner Jacques Cousteau. Sort of.
Fair warning: a lot of people have had trouble installing Google Earth 1.1 for Android; the comments section of a blog post announcing its release consists of little other than complaints. Still, exploring the oceans should be fun for folks who can get the update to work.
Jenifer Austin Foulkes, a product manager, wrote on the Google Mobile Blog, “The latest version of Google Earth for Android also introduces the ‘Explore the Ocean’ layer, which features hundreds of photos and videos from more than 100 contributors who are excited to share their stories of sea. Plan your next vacation during your daily commute by clicking on any of the little blue icons. The gold highlighted icons represent content from the Mission Blue Hope Spot initiative.”
Google Earth for Android 1.1 gets an ocean layer. (Credit: Google)
Google Earth 1.1 does not allow you to snorkel past schools of fish or snuggle up to reefs teeming with sea life. Instead, it offers Android users the opportunity to see what the Earth’s surface looks like beneath the water. Google suggests, for example, that users look at the Monteray Bay Canyon, which it says is larger than the Grand Canyon.
There is a “look around” button that lets users change the angle of view and take a new look at what’s under the water.
Another tool added to Google Earth 1.1 is what Google calls the “Explore the Ocean” layer. This layer offers up a collection of photos and videos from contributors from all around the world.
To be more precise, the new feature enables users to explore the ocean through downloading it from the Android Market on any handset running under Android 2.1 or later.
“With the release of this feature, escape the hustle and bustle of life on land and discover the marine world using Google Earth on your mobile device,” a recent post on Google Mobile Blog reads.
Google Earth 1.1 will work just fine on devices with Android 2.1 and higher. Android 2.2 users should benefit from a few more features, including support for Flash in balloons, so that one can watch videos in balloons in case Flash Player 10.1 is installed on the handset.
Google explains, “Google Earth now supports Flash in balloons, so if you have the Flash player installed on your mobile device, you can watch videos right in the balloon.”
Google Earth 1.1 for Android is free download from the Android Market.