Google Earth 6.2: Virtual Globe Gets A Makeover, Adds Google+ Social Features (PHOTOS)

Google Earth just got a much less patchy -- and a little more social.

The search giant rolled out an update to its virtual globe application on Thursday, calling this latest version "the most beautiful Google Earth yet."

One frustrating characteristic of Google Earth since it was released in 2005 has been its patchy, mosaic-like images of Earth's surface. This so-called "quilt effect" is a product of Google using various satellite images and photographs that were taken not only at different times, but on different days, some of them sunny, some of them rainy, and so on.

But Google announced in a blog post on Thursday that its new version, Google Earth 6.2, has changed the way it renders images, making maps appear more seamless.

Writing on Silicon Filter, Frederic Lardinois notes that the smoother looking maps are similar to what's already available on Bing Maps.

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Additionally, Google added social features which allow users to share images from Google Earth on their Google+ profiles.

We couldn't get this new feature to work on our Google+ profiles, but theoretically, after signing into Google Earth with their Google IDs, users can post Google Earth screen shots to their G+ profiles.

While there are no Google+ "hangouts" on Google Earth just yet, Mashable's Charlie White writes that this change "is further evidence of Google's intention to integrate all of its products with Google+."

To that end, Google announced a new privacy policy this week, making it clear to users that their personal information would be used across different products.

"Engaging with users, really deeply understanding who they are, and delivering things that make sense for them is really, really important," Larry Page, Google's CEO, said on an earnings call earlier this month. "This notion of identity is a deep, deep part of what we're doing and an example of how we can make all our products better by understanding people."

Google also added walking, biking and transit directions to the application, and integrated the search field autocomplete function from Google Maps.

Google announced late last year that the desktop, mobile and web plug-in versions of Google Earth had been downloaded over 1 billion times. To celebrate the milestone, Google launched "One World. Many Stories.," a site featuring stories about different ways people around the world have used Google Earth.

LOOK: Google Earth's New Features:

Comments

[firewired]

05:20 PM on 01/30/2012

I'll bet those who squawk the loudest about "invasion of privacy" have been on camera before in "people of walmart" videos and didn't complain! Matter of fact, videos of Wal-Mart shoppers show most people don't care, and don't have much to show. Just sayin'......

[WthyrBendragon]

01:28 PM on 01/30/2012

The way to disappear from Google Earth is to adopt a monochromatic theme for everything you have. Specifically, that shade of green used by weather reports and movie production for green screen effects. Change out your wardrobe, color your hair, paint your car, re-shingle the roof. Everything is the same shade of green.

[sweethinga1]

09:40 PM on 01/29/2012

I hope guys can see me tanning topless in my back yard by the pool

[Brooks Stephens]

03:48 PM on 01/30/2012

We tried...We tried!!!!!

[Powell L]

04:25 PM on 01/29/2012

Nice try Google, but this is a less cool version of what the company I work for is building.

We're putting cameras on the International Space Station to record Earth; then we're going to stream the imagery online, for free, to users world-wide. Not only will we have better social features, but we'll have true video at a 1 meter resolution. Follow @UrtheCast, or check out UrtheCast.com.

[SSHARLIE101]

01:44 PM on 01/29/2012

WOW this is amazing indeed, its like your looking in to a CRISTAL ball, lol , hey i have to say dont worry they even get's better, and yes i do beleive in that, in the FUTURE, WOW its like looking into a TELASCOPE, or something wow i am amazed at this, JUST who knows it might get closer, that we dont even RELIZED,

[esq1128]

12:47 PM on 01/29/2012

Will Google show Newts lunar colony?

[garylinn]

12:15 PM on 01/29/2012

Those who live in glass houses....well, I guess we all do, eh?

[grapost]

10:47 AM on 01/29/2012

The Apple CEO's REAL response was: We don't care! Profits are UP!

[scubarjh]

10:18 AM on 01/29/2012

If law enforcement can't tap your info without a court order, why can Google do it?????

[Mikel Moore]

10:57 AM on 01/29/2012

Because people permit it.

[mjeffn]

09:57 AM on 01/29/2012

Who do I call at Google if I want my identity back?

[kagu632418]

09:38 AM on 01/29/2012

Pretty darn good :)

[karen lyons kalmenson]

09:31 AM on 01/29/2012

if google earth
could surround
its target
with a big
peace sign
the world would
smile
and one of those
grins would
be mine♥☻

[gryphon10]

09:29 AM on 01/29/2012

Google Cool.

[ImaNichols]

09:28 AM on 01/29/2012

Anyone else feel like a bug under glass?

[tacevad]

06:10 PM on 01/29/2012

Remember it's not paranoia if they really are watching you! ;)

[rpokeytruck]

09:24 AM on 01/29/2012

It would have been nice of google to ask what information we would allow to be shared and which information we didnt. So either you expose yourself to the world to use google products or you find products from companies that DO respect your privacy, cause they sure as hell dont.