Google Earth Invades Your (Windows) Web Browser
The 3D mapping capabilities of Google Earth are now available in your browser thanks to a new plug-in and API. The new features make it possible for map developers to add a Google Earth view to their existing maps with just a single line of code.
As Google’s Geo Lat/Long blog says, the new tools bring “the full power of Google Earth to the web, embeddable within your own web site.”
For now the browser plug-in is Windows-only and works with either Firefox or Internet Explorer 6/7. While the need to download a plug-in will limit your audience somewhat, the new tools look like a fantastic way to extend a Google-maps application without requiring the separate Google Earth download.
If you’re not a fan of Google Earth, don’t worry the new 3D features won’t replace the old Google Maps standby. And it’s worth noting that the new release does not convert the entire Google Earth application to the browser. That said, it does enable the most frequently used aspects of the standalone app (which, by the way, needn’t be present for the plug-in to work).
The new Google Earth tools are not unlike Microsoft’s 3D mapping plug-in –Virtual Earth 3D– which offers similar features.
Along with the plug-in, Google has released a JavaScript API for interacting with Google Earth via the browser. If you have an existing Google Map on your site, all you need to do to enable then new Google Earth view is add a line of JavaScript to your initialization code. Just call the map type G_SATELLITE_3D_MAP in your setup script and a new button will appear offering a Google Earth view right alongside the map and other views. Obviously only those with the plug-in installed will be able to see the Google Earth view.
For more details on what you can and cannot do with the new developer API, check out Dan Catt’s write up; he uses Firebug to dissect the new API (Catt in Flickr’s resident mapping expert). Also be sure to read through the new Google Docs page for full details.
For a quick overview of the new Google Earth browser plug-in in action, have a look at the intro movie below.
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