New Google Earth includes underwater and historical footage

Google has released a new version of Google Earth that for the first time includes underwater rendering and historical footage.

The underwater bathymetric map allows users to drop below the surface and explore the seafloor in 3D, using public and private data from multiple sources. Mashed into the offering is also video and still images, so you can get an actual view of each spot where available.

The historical Imagery allows users to move back and forth in time to reveal imagery from the past revealing changes over time.

Another new feature offered is touring, allowing users to create an easily sharable, narrated, fly-through tour just by clicking the record button and navigating through your tour destinations.

They’re impressive changes, but limited by data. For example, Google suggests users take a look at San Francisco as an example of the historical feature, but fails to mention that the images are quite restricted is scope; and that’s presuming that there is historical footage for your area, many areas I checked had little or none, and where they do it’s often only back to the early part of this decade. Still, it’s a start, and hopefully they’ll be able to tap into additional data sources in the future.

You can download the latest Google Earth here.