Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Best Google Earth Image update EVER!

Posted by James Turnbull, Sunday, 17th December 2006

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Just after yesterday’s announcement of New Google Earth version 4 betas the team have sneaked out another, as yet unannounced, imagery update.

Although it’s not clear where has or hasn’t been updated it is already clear that this is the best update EVER. Why? This update includes recent high-resolution images from Scotland’s capital city, and home of Google Sightseeing HQ, Edinburgh!

As usual the images haven’t made their way into Google Maps yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long.

Update: The imagery update now been officially announced (along with a terrain update), here’s the rundown:

  • Digital Globe updates all over the globe with the most notable being large content additions in Somalia and Australia
  • Updated US states: Indiana and Delaware
  • Miscellaneous high res cities and counties in North America: Monterey Bay, CA; Yakima County, WA; Summerland, Canada; Greater East Wenatchee, WA; Polk County, IA; Warren County IA; and Bay County, FL
  • Small high-res updates in the UK (Swansea, Edinburgh, Doncaster, Gwent) and expanded London coverage
  • High-res update in Bremerhaven, Germany.
  • Newer imagery for Lanzarote (Canary Islands)
  • Google Earth Blog-supplied XPrizeCup flyover and the Sanford, NC airport
  • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
  • Foo Camp @ O’Reilly Headquarters in Sebastapol, CA

17 Responses to 'Best Google Earth Image update EVER!'

  1. Nikita says:

    I thought you were from the us. Sorry for that mistake. :)

  2. Lee says:

    Non, they’re our favourite Northern Drunks. Common unknown fact about Scotland: This summer was their warmest on record, they only received 3 inches of snow.

  3. Kim Hartveld says:

    Edinwhat?

  4. Nev says:

    Woo hoo! About time!

  5. The Edinburgh footage seems to have been taken during August 2005 — all the Fringe stuff is up, the new Council building is under construction, but the building work on the old car park at the University hasn’t started yet.

  6. Iain Turnbull says:

    About bloody time, too! By the way, Alex, congrats on the success of this site – it’s good to know someone from my year at JGHS made it big in the geek stakes!

  7. fleetpeople says:

    Nice one GE !

    2 Challenges already on Fun and games forum.

    Pictures taken about August by the look of it.

  8. James says:

    I agree with 2005, but I think this is either just after or just before August. Although the stands are up for the tattoo, the high street isn’t closed for all the street performers – so it’s not festival time.

  9. Duane says:

    quote: fleetpeople Says: 2 Challenges already on Fun and games forum.

    is there a link to said forum?

    -Duane

  10. Corey V. says:

    What? Still no Canterbury? Hurry!

  11. TVLizard says:

    Would be nice to see an update to Wales. Haardly any of it is high res

  12. Alex says:

    Hi Iain! Indeed, about bloody time ;-) I can’t believe somebody from JGHS reads this actually… or even worked out it was actually me! Hmm, I wonder if there’s anyone else I know who lurks around here?

  13. Olly says:

    Hurrah! About time!

  14. Izzy says:

    Well… apart from the fact that the images are really out of date (there’s a car park where the new informatics forum will be at Edinburgh Uni) it’s amazing! I can see my flat! Now I can show my family where I live and save them the trouble of coming to visit me. :D Go EH8!

  15. Scott says:

    And image update for Edinburgh must have been taken at a weekend as there no cars parked outsite my work on the street. So just after or just before August 2005 and at a weekend :)

  16. BOUNCY TECHNO says:

    Just use http://local.live.com/

    It has most of central Scotland covered at decent quality. Google have dragged their feet over this one.

  17. Ianbh says:

    judging by the evidence i’d go as far as to say that the Edinburgh pics were taken around august 05 and definitely on a sunday.