Google Earth 4.3 Adds Buildings, Better Nav

Google's latest update to the free software includes a revamped system for navigating the Earth, more and better buildings, and more.

If Google Earth’s cumbersome 3D navigation system made you feel more like you were designing L-brackets in AutoCAD than soaring over the mountaintops as a bird, the latest revision of the software may just fix that problem. Google released version 4.3 of Google Earth on Wednesday, with a host of updates including improved navigation, more buildings, and Street View.

To fix the somewhat clunky way of interacting with 3D maps, Google changed the interface to automatically look “up” as a user zooms closer to Earth, giving a view similar to parachuting down to Earth. Google also added a “look” joystick for browsing around without moving when close to the ground.

 More photo-textured buildings have also been added to the mix, drawn from Google’s user-created 3D Warehouse. Expanded cities include Tokyo, Munich, and Boston. Google also integrated the popular Street View feature from Google Maps, and added an adjustable sun that can simulate sunrises, sunsets, and everything in between.

Google Earth 4.3 is available immediately as a free download from Google.