2024-09-30 13:51:29
Google Maps and Earth are receiving major updates. These include sharper satellite imagery, more Street View coverage and a new “time travel” feature.
Google has fundamentally revised its Maps and Earth mapping services. As the company announced in a blog article, users can now benefit from sharper satellite images, expanded Street View functions and historical recordings. “9to5google” first reported about it.
The heart of the update is the introduction of the “Cloud Score+” AI model. This was trained with millions of images and can now remove clouds, haze and fog from satellite images, it is said. Natural weather phenomena such as snow or mountain shadows are preserved, which leads to a more realistic and clearer representation.
One of the biggest expansions concerns the view in Street View. Google has not only updated existing recordings in around 80 countries, but also added completely new regions. Users can now also take virtual walks through cities in Bosnia, Namibia, Paraguay and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
To make it easier to capture additional areas, the company is using a newly developed camera that is specifically designed for its map service. Weighing just seven kilograms, it should enable street views to be captured even in areas that are difficult to access. The aim is to keep the digital map up to date and to reflect changes promptly.
The update to Google Earth will be particularly exciting for history buffs and environmental researchers. The service has been expanded to include historical images that go back up to 80 years. This allows users to track the development of landscapes and cities over decades.
In one example, Google shows a black and white photo of San Francisco from 1938. The comparison with current images clearly shows how the use of the port facilities has changed from industrial purposes to tourist attractions. This “time travel” function also makes it possible to visualize long-term changes such as climate change or the effects of wars.
However, the improvements go beyond just image quality. Google emphasizes that the updates also increased the accuracy and accessibility of the services. By combining Street View and aerial photography in the new “Immersive View”, users could now explore cities and routes in higher detail and in 3D.