Google Earth for Android

Most people are familiar with the popular Google Maps website as well as the Google Maps app that comes built into your Android smartphone or tablet. This app lets you find where you are and helps you get to where you need to go. PC users may also be familiar with the Google Earth program that you can download and install for free on your computer that offers many additional features that the Google Maps website doesn't.

Google Earth for Android lets you use the popular Google Earth PC application on your Android smartphone or tablet. You get many of the same features in this app but now you can take your earth on the road with you.

Google Earth for Android lets you view the same 3D imagery, terrain, and buildings available in the desktop version of Google Earth. The app lets you pan, zoom, and tilt your view as you travel the globe. You can also view geographic information including roads, borders, terrain and photos as well as go directly to your current location with the touch of a button.

Here are some of features that come with Google Earth for Android:

• The Look Around feature lets you look at a 360 degree view of the location by using your finger to spin around the area.
• Pan mode lets you pan up and down the area. Just make sure that Look Around is turned off.
• You can zoom in and out by pinching the screen like you do in other apps
• Tilt lets you tilt the image by touching the screen and dragging upwards or downwards. Just make sure Look Around is turned on.
• Choosing My Location will use your GPS to go to the area you are in at that moment.
• The search feature lets you find a place by name or address and then takes you to that location.
• Layers let you view different things such as places, businesses, panoramio photos, borders, labels, roads, oceans and Wikipedia information about items in that area.

This is an example of the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas with all the layers turned on. You can see that is shows many panoramio photos as well as shopping, eating and Wikipedia links.

This is an example of what you get when you tap on one of the Panoramio photo links. Keep in mind that not all places will offer photo links.

Tapping on a Wikipedia layer for the Bellagio will show you information about the casino from Wikipedia where you can get additional information about the location.

Here are the requirements for Google Earth for Android:

• Supported on all Android devices manufactured in 2010 or later running Android OS 2.1 or higher.
• 320x480 or higher screen resolution
• Memory – 211 MB minimum on SD card and 35 MB minimum free system memory
• Dual core processor required to see buildings in 3D

Google Earth for Android can be downloaded for free from the Android Market.