by Jacqueline Emigh

Google Earth goes 2.0 for iPhone

analysis
Nov 17, 20092 mins

Support of desktop-created maps, easier icon use are among the enhancements

Google today announced version 2.0 of Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod Touch, just over a year after releasing the first edition of the application, a piece of software that quickly turned into the second most popular download in Apple’s App Store.

Originally launched in October 2008, the first edition of Google Earth finds out your location either through GPS or by using Google’s search function to narrow down your location. You can then use the iPhone’s multitouch gestures for an interactive experience, rotating the phone to switch to a horizon view or making two-fingered circles to spin the landscape around, for instance.

Version 2.0 features several updates, including the ability to view maps that you create on a desktop PC directly on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Icon selection is also easier in version 2.0. Now, when you touch an icon, a small glow shows up under your finger to tell you which icon you have chosen. If your finger happens to touch more than one icon, the app will take you to a list of all icons. You can then pick the one you want from the list.

The second edition is available in a total of 31 human languages, as opposed to the 18 supported in version 1.0.

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Jacqueline Emigh writes for PC World, an InfoWorld affiliate.