Big Updates To Google Earth, Maps: Time-Travel And More Street View With Sharper Imagery

Google has announced a series of updates to its Earth and Maps platforms aimed at providing users with a more immersive and informative experience. The enhancements include the introduction of historical imagery in Google Earth, a comprehensive expansion of Street View coverage, and the use of AI to refine satellite imagery. This improvement is made possible via an AI model called Cloud Score+.

Travel Back In Time With Google Earth

The latest update allows new historical imagery in Google Earth on web and mobile, which makes it easy for users to explore satellite and aerial imagery — some of which goes as far back as 80 years.

The feature that was previously limited to the desktop version, Google Earth Pro. This update will make it easier to view and compare satellite and aerial images of various locations over time.

Google shared an example of a 1938 black-and-white photo of San Francisco taken by pilots from Oakland Airport, which clearly shows the ports being used for industry and shipping.

Expanding Street View Coverage 

Google is also rolling out “one of the biggest updates” to Street View, with new imagery from nearly 80 countries.

Countries getting Street View for the first time include Paraguay, Namibia, Liechtenstein and Bosnia. 

Other countries which will see expanded images include Australia, France, Denmark, Spain, Japan, Switzerland, Iceland, Mexico, Philippines, New Zealand, Serbia, Uruguay, Brazil, Costa Rica, South Africa, Rwanda, and Argentina.

The tech giant credits its portable Street View camera, launched in 2022, for the growing coverage and allowing the capture of more locations. Google stated that this technology will enable for even greater geographical reach in the future.

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Google’s CloudScore+ for Sharper Imagery

Sharper satellite imagery will soon be seen across Google Earth and Maps too, courtesy the Google Cloud Score+ AI model. It can identify and remove cloud shadows, clouds, mist and haze for a “clearer, more accurate look at Earth”. At the same time, this model keeps real-world weather patterns — like ice, snow and mountain shadows — visible on the map.

The application of the Cloud Score+ AI model is expected to result in a “brighter, more vibrant globe” for users.