What is special about Geospatial?

Google’s 3D data has escaped the client and is now available for your Browser. Today at Google I/O a Google Earth Browser plugin was released. With the plugin it is possible to view Google Earth mashups in the comfort of their own browser instead of having to pull up a separate client.

A small excerpt from the O’Reilly post:

This release does not change Google Maps, the mapping site on Google’s domain; it will not be serving up Google Earth imagery (yet). This release does not change all Google maps mashups into Google Earth Mashups. Instead the plugin enables developers to offer Google Earth imagery to their users very easily. I think it is notable that this is being offered to developers first. Why developers first? For one the plugin is being released at Google I/O, Google’s developer conference. I think that we should expect many developer-only treats today and tomorrow. Second, mashups can really help with distribution and help gain mindshare with those who don’t make it to Google’s sites on their own.

As Paul Rademacher, the creator of the first mashup (Housingmaps.com) and the technical lead on the project, pointed out to me during a call last week “The goal, apart from opening up Google Earth, is to bring Earth to the user. You can’t help but see Google maps when you surf now you’ll also see Google Earth.” The final reason, I am sure, is to keep Google’s main mapping site clean. Google Maps has had a lot of features added lately; they will need to spend some time figuring out a 3D UX.

Here are some sample apps for trying out. You will be prompted to download the plugin:

• www.google.com/earth/plugin/examples/samples/ - A developer sandbox. It has a list of the possible API commands. (the screenshot above)
• www.google.com/earth/plugin/examples/template/ - Go to any location you want.
• www.google.com/earth/plugin/examples/milktruck/ - A cute game where you get to drive a Milk Truck around different locations. How many developers will take on the gaming challenge?
• www.google.com/earth/plugin/examples/mapsapi/ - A potential implementation of how a 2D app could share space with a 3D one. The last screenshot (after the jump) shows this one; it’s got a really nice shot of the web-based Google Earth controls.

[via http://radar.oreilly.com/geo]

Written and submitted from Home, using my 802.11g WiFi network.