(Credit: Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
Google Earth is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an interesting new feature: the ability to time travel through your favorite spots with Street View.
Google Earth added historical aerial imagery last year. And it already included access to current Street View imagery. But now, it's bringing historical Street View captures, meaning you can get a street-level look at a location from within Google Earth over time to see how it's changed; no need to switch over to Google Maps.
"The feature is rolling out globally starting on June 24 (today in the US), and you should be able to access it within the next couple of days as it reaches 100% of users," a Google spokesperson tells PCMag. (We tried it on the iOS app, and it wasn't showing up yet.)
(Credit: Google)The update follows a Google Maps trend that went viral on social media last year. Users were sharing Street View images from Maps to show how their surroundings have evolved over time.
Along with historical Street View, Google Earth is also bringing new building and solar design tools for planners and designers. In the coming weeks, they will have access to unique datasets, including land surface temperature, tree canopy coverage, and rooftop reflectivity. According to Google, all of these could help find better ways to keep our homes and businesses cooler.
"With these enhancements, professionals will have even more tools at their fingertips to make faster, smarter decisions — helping shape cities and communities that work better for people and the planet," Google said in a separate blog post.