Google Earth has been updated to bring 3D maps to iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Google has updated their Google Earth app for iOS which features Google’s next dimension of Google Maps: 3D Maps, which Google had unveiled last month.
Last month, Google unveiled “the next dimension of Google Maps” during a press conference just days before WWDC 2012 where Apple was set to introduced its own mapping solution for iOS 6. Google announced a new 3D feature for Google Earth platform during that conference. A few days later, during the WWDC 2012, Apple introduced a similar 3D imagery named “Flyover” for iOS 6.
While Apple is set to introduce their 3D maps to general public with iOS 6 release later this year, Google has beaten Apple to the punch by releasing an update for Google Earth app for iOS loaded with new 3D maps for iOS 5.x.
iOS users are getting same 14 regions, including Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston and others that Android users are enjoying since late June. Both the platform will get more 3D cities at the same time as Google adds them to its database.
Josh Lowensohn of CNET:
Months ahead of when Apple plans to bring its own photorealistic 3D maps to iOS, Google has beaten the company to the punch. Google today is updating its Google Earth app on Apple’s platform to include the same 3D imagery it showed off in early June. That same feature rolled out to users on Google’s Android in late June.
These 3D features of Google Earth app are available to iPhone 4S, iPad 2 or newer devices users only. All other features of Google Earth app will still be working on older devices.
Google Earth for iOS – [AppStore Link]