Google Earth is one of my favorite web services offered by Google. This application combines satellite imagery, maps, aerial photos and google search engine, producing interesting application that enables anyone to view almost any part of the world and simulatenously get location related google search results. As google states;

“Google Earth puts a planet’s worth of imagery and other geographic information right on your desktop. View exotic locales like Maui and Paris as well as points of interest such as local restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more.” Link

Image quality is quite good. The quality and the speed of this service(given you are on broadband) truly shows how far technology has gone by bringing to your desktop something that we used to see only on the blockbusters not so long ago. Google earth has free and premium version which comes with more options. To start using service, a software download(approx.14 MB) is required. If your PC is more then 1.5 years old, then before you install it check ‘recommended hardware configuration’ here.

What can it be used for?

• zoom in from space to any physical address
• checkout schools, hotels, restaurants, etc
• discover driving directions
• View 3D terraing of buildings
• Possibility to Save/ Share location searches

With Google earn not only you can view almost any physical address on the planet, but also browse through fun earth tours produced by other users. For instance, there is a tour featuring satellite images of 10 most expensive homes in the world(view images, 3D terrains of these houses and etc.). Someone may also find it helpful for cheking out an hotel or resort before actually booking it. You can see yourself whether the beach house you are about to book is actually a beach house and not a ’100 meter away’ beach house. Well, the rest is up to your imagination. To get more tips from Google itself visit Google Earth Showcase here.

Sample pictures provided on Google Earth (click to enlarge):