A new functionality to Google Maps adds more utility and, at the same time, opens some possibilities in the classroom. Until recently, you had access to Google Maps or Google Earth, but now with some development, you have both.
Head over to Google Maps and you’ll see a new splash announcing an Earth feature. This is very interesting when you dig in and take a look around. Some world landmarks are shown up front and are worthy of a tour to see what’s up. Check out the Petronas Towers or Niagara Falls or any of the featured landmarks.
Very cool.
But, how about a little closer to home. Can we benefit from this locally? How about the Ambassador Bridge?
Or, how about the Ford logo just off Seminole Street?
Looking north across the Detroit River, the Renaissance Centre and General Motors World Headquarters.
And so much more. The Art Gallery, the University of Windsor, St. Clair College, and so many of the local landmarks.
What struck me in terms of functionality for navigation was how quickly you could move through the maps to locate landmarks. While Google Earth has many of these features, it takes a higher powered machine to do the zooming in and out. It also requires the separate Google Earth application.
Here, right within Google Maps, you have some great functionality. In some of the older computers where installing Google Earth is not an option or in a lesser powered Netbook, you’ve got some pretty responsive action.
This is an absolute keeper.
