Software-update: Google Earth 4.1.7076.4458 beta

De ontwikkelaars van Google hebben in de vorm van 4.1.7076.4458 een nieuwe bèta van Earth beschikbaar gesteld. De nieuwe versie kan via deze pagina gedownload worden in de Nederlandse taaluitvoering voor Mac OS X, Windows en Linux. Google Earth stelt Windows-gebruikers in staat om vanaf ruimteniveau op een groot aantal steden en bezienswaardigheden in te zoomen en deze als detailplaatje te bekijken. Ook is het mogelijk om een route te plotten en deze uit te printen. Welke veranderingen de nieuwe Earth heeft ondergaan, is niet bekendgemaakt door Google. Hierdoor vonden de mensen van Google Earth Blog het nodig om de nieuwe versie nader te bekijken en te documenteren wat er volgens hun veranderd is:

Here are a few things I've noticed in GE 4.1:

• SpaceNavigator for the Mac - I installed the application, plugged in my SpaceNavigator, and it now works on GE 4.1! Yay! See my original review of the SpaceNavigator and a YouTube demo using it. The SpaceNavigator is a 3D Mouse device which lets you control GE like never before. Note: if you are just getting a SpaceNavigator for the Mac for the first time, you will need to install the driver first - available here.

• Tips - when you first open Google Earth 4.1 you get a "Tips" window which shows suggestions of things you can try, or instructions of how to use some feature in GE. See the screenshot. I think this is a handy way to help people learn about cool things you can do with GE. And, you can turn it off if you don't want it. Also, you can bring up the window any time through the "Help -> Start up tips" menu option. Nice addition!

• Starting Location - there is a new starting location added to your "My Places". I'm told by Google you get a different starting location depending on what country version of Google Earth you use. For me, I get a placemark for Lawrence, Kansas.

• View in Maps this is a LONG-awaited new feature. At the top of Google Earth, where the tool icons appear, you see a new icon at the right which looks like a "map" - this button enables the new "View in Google Maps" option. When you click on it, it opens your browser window and shows you the same view in Google Maps. Finally, simple button interface to Google Maps from within GE! One difference is that Google Maps is always oriented north up, and you can't zoom as close as in GE. But, otherwise the new view button works perfect.

• New Installation Process - The installer for this version of Google Earth is MSI-based which enhances site-wide installations.

• New Language Versions - Google Earth 4.1 now has support for the following NEW languages: Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Korean, Arabic, and Czech

I'm sure there are a few minor bugs and enhancements in the mix as well. Stefan Geens at OgleEarth heard about the file reaching the public earlier today... thanks for the tip![break]

Tweakers.net HQ in Google Earth