If we stop to think about it, it is unlikely that we realize that Google Earth is already 20 years old. It seems like just yesterday when we started playing with its virtual globe, spinning the planet with the mouse as if we were frustrated astronauts.
But two decades later, the tool not only remains alive, but also celebrates its anniversary with a novelty that will blow your mind: it will allow you to look into the past.
This way you can see how your city has changed over the years
Google Earth now adds the feature of Historical Street View, something that we were already familiar with from Google Maps on desktop since 2014.
The idea? Allowing you to travel back in time (digitally speaking) and see how your favorite street looked —or your grandparents’ house, or that corner where there used to be a video store— at different moments in the past.
With this new feature, you can explore the passage of time in cities around the world. For example, see how Houston has transformed in recent years. Spoiler: the change can be striking.
AI + Planet = More juicy data (but only if you’re a pro)
As if that weren’t enough, Google Earth also wants to get serious about the future. It is soon going to launch a new feature that uses artificial intelligence to provide super detailed environmental data. The bad news: for now, it is only available for professional users in the U.S.
And what kind of information will it offer? From tree coverage maps to urban areas that need more shade to combat heat. This tool could be key for urban planners looking to design cooler, more sustainable, and pleasant cities.
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Oh, luckily, for those who dream of more shade without having to carry an umbrella everywhere.