Google Earth and Street View get major updates
To capture a changing world
In a constantly shifting world, with cities expanding and landscapes evolving, Google has unveiled significant updates to Google Earth and Street View to help users visualise these changes.
The new features, including historical imagery dating back as far as 80 years, allow users to explore their neighbourhoods over decades or understand the impacts of climate change on forests.
For instance, the transformation of Lake Oroville in California can now be seen in detail—compare a 2018 drought-stricken image to a vibrant 2023 view showcasing its restored capacity. Users can also explore historical imagery from iconic cities like London and Paris, revealing striking contrasts from the 1930s to today.
Additionally, Street View has undergone a significant expansion, adding new imagery from nearly 80 countries, including untouched landscapes in Namibia and medieval villages in Bosnia. This update allows for virtual exploration of these regions right from home.
With over 280 billion images captured by Street View cars and trekkers, users can virtually visit every continent, including stunning destinations like the Great Barrier Reef and the International Space Station.
The latest update invites exploration of picturesque areas such as the medieval villages in Bosnia, the sandy mountains surrounding Namibia’s capital, the enchanting Alps and castles of Liechtenstein, and the scenic rivers of Paraguay.
This enhancement offers users a unique opportunity to wander the streets of foreign cities, providing an up-close look at shops and buildings in places they may never visit in person. With this extensive update, Google continues to broaden the horizons of virtual exploration.
Starting this week, Google is rolling out improved satellite imagery across Google Earth and Maps, offering users a brighter and more vibrant view of the planet. The tech giant has implemented advanced cloud-removal technology, utilising its Cloud Score+ AI model, which has been trained on millions of images.
This model effectively identifies and removes obstructions such as clouds, cloud shadows, haze, and mist while preserving essential weather patterns like ice, snow, and mountain shadows.
The enhancement aims to give users a clearer and more accurate representation of Earth, resulting in a refreshed global mosaic. With these improvements, Google continues to make satellite imagery more accessible and visually appealing for users worldwide.
Featured image: Street view image of Logstor, Denmark. Credit: Google
