Google has released three new services in the past two days. Most notably they have added all of Europe streets to Google Maps. Beta versions of Google Maps for France, Germany, Italy, and Spain include interactive street maps, driving directions, and integrated local business search. Accompanying this release, they also improved high resolution imagery coverage for Europe in both Google Maps and Google Earth.
Google also recently bought ScetchUp, a online software for design professionals (architects, designers, builders, art directors and game developers). But now they have dropped the Pro and made it available for anyone. The new Google SketchUp is for the do-it-yourselfer, the hobbyist, really anyone who wants to build 3D models for use in Google Earth.
You can model that new kitchen, or deck, landscape your virtual garden, or impress your teacher with a roller coaster or medieval castle. When you’re finished, place your model in Google Earth. There! The beginning of a virtual world. Warning: don’t start messing with this stuff after dinner because your first experience could be an all-nighter… making an idea come to life in 3D can be very addicting.
Finally, after screenshots taken of various new Google offerings, they are dishing the dirt on some new search techniques. First is a way to refine searches, so you can select a city you are interested in. Next is the ‘diggly’ famous results sidebars. And lastly, is a “Remove Results†option that would omit particular results from future searches if you decide they’re not useful.
Read [Google Map Mania]
Read [Google Blog]
From Gadgetell
