In 6 years, Google Earth has been downloaded one billion times. The desktop client, mobile app, and plug-in combination have taken geospacial technology and put it at the fingertips of users across the globe, allowing us to see places, explore the seas, and view the sky from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Google has built a website dedicated to the experiences that people have shared using Google Earth: “One World. Many Stories.” Here’s the video that the Google Earth YouTube channel released yesterday: …

Google has a present for those want access to sophisticated data with relation to our very own planet. It’s called Google Earth Engine, and it is Google’s attempt to better the world through scientific research. Users are free to explore this data right in their browser, and there is much more data on the way. So what is Google Earth Engine? Well, in Google’s words, they sum it up like this: Google Earth Engine brings together the world’s satellite imagery—trillions of scientific measurements dating back more than 25 years—and makes it available online with tools for scientists, independent…

This will be the dumbest thing you’ll read all day: Seems that Brits are using their iPhones to cheat hedge mazes. No, really. Consider the maze at Longleat Safari Park, which is apparently the world’s biggest, boasting two miles of paths and constructed of 16000 seven-foot-high yew trees. On average, a visitor takes about 90 minutes to wander their way out, mumbling frustrated, NSFW epithets under their breath all the while. But apparently, that’s no longer the case. Upon taking a stroll through the maze (I wonder if he does that a lot… I wonder if he gets bored), manager Tim Bentley has noticed…

Weather-obsessed people like pilots and surf bums will now be able to see the latest weather maps on Google Earth. In order to see it, enable the clouds layer, and zoom to the spot that you want to see (or do that in reverse order, it doesn’t matter). Precipitation data is only available in areas of North America and Europe at the moment, although this being Google, you know the rest is coming. This latest improvement to Google Earth puts all of the powers of the weatherman – scant though they may be – into your hands. What will you do with this unimaginable power? We’re betting major life events like putting…

Ever had a dream to walk through Times Square in New York City, but could never really find the money to get you there? Google has recently added high quality street level photos to its Google Earth application that will allow you to take a virtual 3D tour of the city from the comfort of your own home. I know its not the same as being there, but not only do you see images of what New York looks like, you feel as though you are the main character in a Grand Theft Auto video game while scouring through the city. Not sure if its the smooth jazz saxophones, or the stimulating drum beat playing throughout the video,…

I’m an avid gamer. When I say ‘avid’, I mean it in all possible terms. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve held records, I’ve humped a television set in celebration. The list of things I’ve never done in gaming is very short; one of the things on that list is ‘enjoy a virtual world’. Start-up Micazook (which boasts the silliest goddam most whimsical name I’ve ever heard) wants to change my mind. Let’s face it – virtual worlds are boring, and anyone who’s ever played Second Life (still the …’leader’) can agree. Even investors these days are wary to drop money on ideas for…