MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 28 (UPI) -- Google Inc. announced Tuesday the launch of Google Earth, the company's new satellite imagery-based mapping product.
According to the search-engine company, the service combines 3D buildings and terrain with mapping capability and Google search based on Keyhole technology. The company said Google Earth enables users to fly from space to street-level views to find geographic information and explore places around the world.
The service includes free software downloads; 3D buildings in major cities across the United States; 3D terrain showing mountains, valleys and canyons around the world; and integrated Google Local search to find local information such as hotels, restaurants, schools, parks and transportation.
The service also provides video playback of driving directions, the company said.
"Google Earth utilizes broadband streaming technology and 3D graphics, much like a videogame, enabling users to interactively explore the world -- either their own neighborhood or the far corners of the globe," said John Hanke, general manager of Google Keyhole. "With many ways to access geographic information, Google provides a very rich local search experience for users worldwide."
Google Earth is the latest addition to Google's local search product suite, which currently includes Google Local and Google Maps for Web users and mobile-phone users.
The company said users can combine multiple layers of information, such as cross-referencing school districts with address look-ups of available homes, business listings and public transportation, and save their results for later use.
