Virtually experience the Inauguration

Earlier today, we posted some tips about how to use Google Maps to be prepared for tomorrow's Inauguration. Well, for those who aren't able to take in the historic event in person, our own 3D data specialist Nathan Kohrmann put together an amazing model of the Inauguration venue -- the US Capitol Building. Visit the Google 3D Warehouse where a full scale replica of the 2009 Inaugural Stage is ready to be explored... complete with Barack...

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Helpful maps for the Inauguration

There is most definitely a buzz in the air.  Hundreds of thousands of people are streaming into Washington D.C. to see Barack Obama sworn in as America's 44th President.  If you're lucky enough to be in D.C., you'll need some help to get your bearings and map out your inaugural adventures.  Google Maps can help, every step of the way.There are a few things you should do before you set out.  First, be sure to install Google Maps for mobile on your mobile device so you can use My Location to pinpoint your current...

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Share questions & answers in the Google Earth Help Forum

Earlier this week, we told you about the new Help Forum for Google Maps. Well the Google Maps enthusiasts aren't the only ones who will benefit from the new and improved help system: we're also unveiling the Google Earth Help Forum!Just like the Google Maps help forum, our new forum should make it easier for you to find answers, share resources with others, and have your participation acknowledged. You can read more about the changes in Wednesday's announcement, or simply head over to the new and improved Help Forum to see for yourself. We...

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Don't let history pass you by

Back in November we launched the Ancient Rome in 3D Curriculum Competition alongside a brand-new Google Earth layer highlighting the historic city in breathtaking detail.Whether you're putting the finishing touches on your submission or have yet to explore the new layer, you still have some time! Just be sure to register and upload your files no later than Monday, February 9th.Bona Fortuna!Posted by Anna Bishop, Google Earth Education T...

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A new place to find help

Our Google Map Help Group now has a new home! You may have already heard of (or tried out) the new Google Help Forums. Today, our Google Maps Help Group will be moving to this new platform.The help forum is still an area for users to come together to discuss and share their knowledge of Google Maps and the Local Business Center - only now it has a new look. It's integrated with our help center, which makes it even easier to jump into the forum while you're browsing the help center. You can search for content across...

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New ways to get around with the Transit Layer

I'm pleased to announce the launch of the Transit Layer on Google Maps in more than 50 cities around the world making it easier for citizens and tourists around the globe to access public transportation line information in their cities.To switch on the layer go to the More button and select the Transit tab:If you want to book a hotel or make a restaurant reservation you can switch on the Transit Layer and look for the public transport line nearest...

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Explore the masterpieces of the Prado Museum up close with Google Earth

Today Google launches the Prado layer in Google Earth allowing you to explore highly detailed photographic images of fourteen of the Prado Museum's masterpieces. The Prado Museum in Madrid is one of Spain's most visited destinations and via the Google Earth layer you can view and learn about its most famous paintings such as The Maids of Honor (Las Meninas) or The Three Graces (Las Tres Gracias)The Prado Museum has become the first art gallery in the world to provide access to and navigation of its collection in Google...

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Flying Through Google Earth at Macworld

This year for Macworld I decided to create a program that allows people to "surf" any region on the Earth's surface using a Nintendo Wii Balance Board and the Google Earth API.  To do this, I used the Google Earth Browser Plug-in with a Javascript API.  The Wii Balance Board transmits the your movements to the Earth Surfer application using Bluetooth and allows you to maneuver a virtual milktruck by shifting your balance as if you were on a surfboard.Check out the following video to see it in action:While...

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Google Street View helps find kidnapped Mass. child

[Cross-posted with the Public Policy Blog]An interesting first (at least as far as we're aware): Google's Street View imagery was used by police officers to help successfully locate a kidnapped child in rural Virginia.  Nine year old Natalie Maltais, from Athol, Massachusetts, was found safely at a motel on Tuesday.  You can read more in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.View Larger MapPosted by Pablo Chavez, Senior Policy Coun...

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Geotagging blog posts

As part of the Lat Long blog team, I'm naturally a big fan of both maps and blogs. Recently, the Blogger team launched a feature that combines both of these -- geotagging for your blog posts.When you use Blogger in draft, you'll see an option below the post editor to "add location". If you know the exact location, you can simply enter the address, city, or zip code; if you're blogging about the view from the top of a mountain you just hiked or don't have a precise location, you can browse the map or turn on satellite mode and put a marker at the...

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Building a bridge in Google Earth

More than 250,000 vehicles a day zip past the largest construction project in California history. That project – the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge – is now on Google Earth, the first time a construction project has been featured. You'll be able to do things on Google Earth's Bay Bridge that would get you arrested in real life – like climbing to the top of the Self-Anchored Suspension Span's single tower, which offers breathtaking views of the Bay Area. To view the model, turn on the 3D Buildings layer in...

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