While Apple gears up to replace Google Maps with its own mapping service on iOS platform, Google is stepping up its Google Earth app on the platform, updating it with new various new features such as 3D maps and a tour guide. Google is rolling out the update for the iPad 2, new iPad and the iPhone 4S devices.
“With the release of Google Earth for iOS you can literally fly through breathtaking 3D city landscapes and images and follow virtual tours of places you’ve never been — all with a simple swipe of your fingertip,” wrote Google’s Peter Birch, Google Earth product manager, in a blog post. “It’s a new, and I think magical way to explore the world in which we live.”
Google’s tour guide feature enables iOS users to discover and explore popular sites in more than 110 countries and regions.
“We’ve put together short tours of thousands of famous places and historical sites across the globe so it’s easier than ever to discover amazing places,” said Birch. “Just pull up the tab at the bottom of the screen to open the tour guide. Each image highlights a tours or place of interest in the area you are looking. Click on an item and you will be flown there. As you fly in and around the sites, snippets from Wikipedia provide additional information about the location. It’s like having a local expert right beside you!”
Last week, Google had announced updating its image catalogue for both Google Earth and Maps with new high resolution aerial, satellite and 45-degree-angled shots. According to reports, the updated image catalogue features as many as 25 cities, 72 nations and regions including London, Pittsburgh, Geneva and a host of countries.
Google had rolled out a similar update to its Google Earth app for Android last month. Meanwhile, check out the short video below just in case you haven’t caught up with the 3D imagery yet.