Google Earth gets Better

On the go with Google

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10158429-92.html?subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&part=sphere

Google has incorporated even more into the imagery of Google-Earth. Its maps are created with “comprehensive real-time data on Earth’s surface with information on the oceans, the stars that we see, historical maps, and topographical information on Mars.” The coolest feature, which seems somewhat unbelievable, is the ability 5.0 gives the user to view real and simulated 3D images of Mars as easily as you could view images of our own planet. Google Earth’s endeavor was launched in conjunction with NASA in order to encourage the exchange of knowledge about our space companion between researchers, scientists and public users. This step by Google furthers the effort of Web 2.0 to create a seamless, data-driven interface increasingly utilized and realized by the web user. The article On the Go with Google further stated new capabilities for users, such as viewing recent satellite imagery from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and other crafts, and somewhat surprisingly the ability for users to “add their own generally sharable content to the larger map of Mars.” A few questions come to my mind when reading this – What exactly meant by the phrase “generally sharable” and how easy is it for users to add their content. This new feature will truly test the capabilities of Web 2.0 and Google itself. Keeping up such a service is definitely a costly investment, as the article points out “it’ll cost dearly in server hardware and network bandwidth” but Google plans to balance the cost with revenue from advertising.