Google Earth 4 beta review

The original Google Earth already served up breathtaking, fly-by views of the planet as well as driving directions and business listings. The changes to this beta update of this nifty, free app improve its navigation and provide even more customization features that you won't find elsewhere. Not only can you better explore natural wonders and urban landmarks, Google also invites you to build your own virtual worlds within Earth by using 3D models from its SketchUp drawing software and 3D Warehouse public image bank.

Google Earth 4 beta is free, and it now offers Mac Plus and Pro versions as well as editions for Linux users and speakers of French, German, Italian, and Spanish. You'll need 400MB of free space on your Windows 2000, XP, or Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later computer. But to import GPS data and addresses from CSV files and to access e-mail support, you'll have to pay $20 for Google Earth Plus.

Once installation is complete, Google Earth 4 beta looks generally the same as its predecessor, with a broad map screen in the center right and a left-hand tabbed menu of options. Tools now line the top of the map screen, and layers are organized within a left-hand drop-down box. The Fly To, Find Businesses, and Directions tabs are more intuitive for searching than similar functions within the online Google Maps.

New to this edition of Google Earth are onscreen navigation enhancements that fade on and off as you move the mouse away from them, allowing you to spin around at a site, move in any direction, including diagonally, and tilt topographical views so that you can see the terrain, for example, as you climb the crest of a hill. And we like that Google Earth allows you to play back an animated tour of your mapped points and routes, so you can rest your hands and feast your eyes. However, sometimes we became dizzy getting the hang of the controls, especially when we couldn't stop Google from spinning or zipping between locations.