Google has rolled out a series of exciting updates to its Earth and Maps platforms, designed to give users a richer and more detailed experience. With the addition of historical imagery in Google Earth, users can now explore how different places have changed over time.
The expansion of Street View coverage opens up more corners of the world for virtual exploration, while AI-powered enhancements to satellite imagery offer sharper, more accurate views of the planet. These updates make it easier than ever to explore both the past and present with just a few clicks.
One of the standout features of the update is the addition of historical imagery to Google Earth, allowing users to travel back in time and see how landscapes have changed over the years. This new tool provides a visual record of the effects of human activity and climate change, showing how forests, cities, and natural features have evolved.
Street View expands to more countries
The imagery covers various time periods, with some locations offering views from up to 80 years ago. Users can explore major cities like London, Paris, and Berlin, with photos dating as far back as the 1930s. The feature is available on both the web and mobile versions of Google Earth, making it easy to explore the past from anywhere.
Google is making big strides with its Street View feature by rolling out new imagery to nearly 80 countries, many of which are getting coverage for the very first time. Some exciting examples highlighted in the blog post include Bosnia, Namibia, Liechtenstein, and Paraguay. Plus, users can look forward to enhanced coverage in countries like Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Japan, New Zealand, and Rwanda, among others. This update will give even more people the chance to explore and experience new places through Google Maps.
Google also introduced a new, lightweight camera designed to make capturing imagery easier in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Its compact design allows for greater flexibility in gathering fresh data, which means users can look forward to even more Street View coverage in the future. This innovation will help bring more corners of the world to life, making exploration more accessible than ever.
AI-powered improvements in satellite imagery
It’s 2024, and of course, no Google announcement would be complete without a nod to AI. Alongside expanding geographic coverage, Google is using artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of satellite imagery in Earth and Maps. With a new AI model called Cloud Score Plus, they’re improving image clarity by eliminating visual obstructions like clouds, mist, and haze. These advancements provide exciting new ways to explore and better understand our planet.
