Google Earth for the desktop is a NEAR end of life product, but it is still available. They are replacing the GoogleEarth desktop app with a GoogleEarth Web App. Google said:
While rebuilding the new Google Earth from scratch we decided to start with features that are essential for exploring and learning about the planet: Voyager, Knowledge Cards and I’m Feeling Lucky. Some of the features you may be missing from classic desktop Earth are some of our favorites too! While we work to prioritize and redesign many of these features for new Earth, you can continue to use them in classic desktop Earth.
The new Google Earth doesn’t yet have all the features that many long-time classic desktop Earth users enjoy. While we build more of these core features into the new Google Earth, we will continue to maintain the classic desktop app. SOURCE: google.com/earth/resources
GoogleEarth desktop would be completely dead now, except for serious limitations with the new web app, most notably:
- The GoogleEarth web app is only available on Chrome and does not yet work on other browsers:
Our new cross-platform 3D rendering engine currently uses a Chrome-only technology called Native Client to bring Earth to the web. However, we’re closely tracking the evolution of WebAssembly (epecially threading) which will enable us to bring Google Earth to other major browsers like Edge, Firefox and Safari. Stay tuned! SOURCE: google.com/earth/resources
We found this quite amusing considering Chrome Native Client is proprietary to Google and Google, Firefox and others shredded Microsoft year after year for using Active X and other Internet Explorer only proprietary technolgies.
- The web app, can not import large KML or KMZ files:
Most moderately-sized KML files and simple features should work in the new Google Earth now. While we work to support more advanced features you can keep using classic desktop Earth. Learn more. SOURCE: google.com/earth/resources
- The web app does not offer the LAYERS the GoogleEarth Destkop app does
If GoogleEarth Destkop is going to a web platform, what is going to happen to Google.com/Maps ?
Today GoogleEarth Web App and Google.com/Maps do have notable different features and use cases. They are wholly different products that came from different acquisitions, but they both use the same data source.
- Google Earth is a renamed version of “Earth Viewer” from its 2001 purchase of Keyhole Inc
- Google Maps is a renamed version of two Danish brothers concept software from Where 2 Technologies that Google bought out in 2004
- Traffic for Google Maps was originally supplied by the 2005 acquisition of ZipDash
Officially Google has not said anything about these two products merging, but since the reorganization of Google’s various companies under the Alphabet umbrella there seems to be much less interest in pet projects that don’t make money.
Because these products are on different platforms and because Google Earth Web App is truly NOT either Google Earth or Google Maps based (just inspired by GoogleEarth), we expect Google Maps will die and be replaced with the all new Google Earth Web App within 18 months or so.
Note, that we have short tutorial on how to install Google Earth Pro (free!) silently HERE.
13 Comments
Lee · December 27, 2022 at 5:58 pm
The desktop version was great. I used it all the time to check out locations of Robo-callers wanting to do home repair or Solar Panels. Oh yes! I have an office in your city and here is the address. Our team is currently in your neighborhood. Found many fake addresses and saved me the time of driving to the location. I DO NOT LIKE WEB PROGRAMS.
Robert · October 31, 2022 at 11:59 am
Can’t say how mad I am … those words would be instantly censored
upToword · October 25, 2022 at 12:17 am
I’m so sorry to hear that Google Earth is no longer available as a desktop application. I used it all the time to explore the world! I’m curious to know if Google is merging Google Earth with Google Maps, or if there is
John · April 28, 2022 at 5:53 pm
The Old Pro was free. If they bring it back, I’d pay for it. You’d have to pay me to use the New Pro; or should it be Old Con.
animalia555 · August 6, 2021 at 9:51 am
Is anyone else upset about this? Or looking to find a workaround?
Ian Matthews · August 9, 2021 at 12:22 pm
We are frustrated by it but given the price we paid Google directly for it ($0), I don’t think we will get much say. Also, the web version will EVENTUALLY be better than the desktop version, so…
KAMLESH KUMAR · July 9, 2020 at 12:27 am
Google, don’t do this. Do not remove GE from desktop. It is and was one of my favorite app which make me informatics and knew lot of thinks around the world. I was also Map maker. Hope Google team will see meticulously to continue it in desktop version.
Harry B · April 8, 2020 at 5:13 am
bring back google earth pro, the web version is s$%t
Harry B · April 8, 2020 at 5:17 am
who substitutes a piece of crap, for program that has served us perfectly for so many years ?
Ian Matthews · April 13, 2020 at 7:55 pm
I really liked GoogleEarth too. 🙁
rr · November 22, 2018 at 12:47 pm
i hate the google earth web only feature, the desk top app was a lot better.
Nietfeld, Stephen · November 11, 2018 at 11:47 am
HORRIBLE. What Google is doing with GE Classic is Horrible. I had NO problem with GE Classic on my desktop (3.2gXPprofessional). The Classic came up quickly and accurately found the locations I wanted.
I have used it for 12 YEARS !!! Where did my maps go??? When I used the on screen Google Earth click to check technically, it told me to leek at my Browser page, answer questions and reload Google Earth. NO There were no questions.
After 12 years Now it is Gone.
Why must we install an application on a smart phone ?
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I DO NOT HAVE A SMART PHONE !!!
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George · April 16, 2018 at 10:55 pm
Flat earthers storming the comment section in 3, 2, 1.