Google is rolling out significant updates to Google Maps and Google Earth, aimed at offering a richer and more detailed view of the world’s landscapes. These updates include expanded Street View coverage, AI-enhanced satellite imagery, and a historical imagery feature for Google Earth.
Expanded Street View Coverage Google’s Street View now covers nearly 80 countries, with virtual tours extending to new regions, including Bosnia, Namibia, Liechtenstein, and Paraguay. Enhancements have also been made in countries like Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, and the Philippines. The latest advancements in Google’s camera technology, introduced in 2022, allow 360-degree images to be captured in even more remote areas. These cameras can now be mounted on various vehicles, expanding coverage to previously uncharted locations.
Historical Imagery on Google Earth For Google Earth users, a new historical imagery feature offers a fascinating journey through time. Available on the web version, it provides access to 80 years of satellite and aerial images. Users can track changes in cities and landscapes, with some cities like London, Berlin, and Paris featuring photos as far back as the 1930s. This tool enables users to create timelapse videos, showcasing the evolution of urban and rural environments.
AI-Powered Enhancements Both Google Maps and Google Earth are receiving AI-powered updates that significantly enhance satellite imagery quality. Google’s Cloud Score Plus AI technology, trained on millions of images, now effectively removes clouds, haze, and fog, while preserving key weather elements like snow and mountain shadows. This results in sharper, clearer images, giving users a more vibrant and accurate global view.
Other Key Updates Google has introduced additional improvements, including a redesigned Android user interface that offers more control over displayed information. Moreover, features like AI-powered wildfire alerts, based on satellite data, provide critical real-time updates during natural disasters.
These updates aim to make Google Maps and Earth more immersive and user-friendly, allowing users to explore the world with greater clarity and insight.