For the first time, the mysteries of the ocean are revealed. The ubiquitous, but nonetheless admirable, Google is about to release vast amount of underwater imagery and seabed map as part of Google Earth.
Unless you were living on the moon over the last four years, you probably have used Google Earth to explore aerial photography, or three-dimensional maps of cities around the world.
Now you will be able to explore the largely unknown underwater world with this new addition that Google is expected to announce in a high-profile event in San Francisco.
People using these additions will get a better understanding of the effect of climate change on the oceans and will be able to discover fascinating parts of the globe. Only 10% of the sea floor has been mapped so far. As the professor of geophysics at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, at the University of San Diego David Sandwell explains: "There are big voids everywhere, but there are a few little spots where we know quiet a lot". Google Earth users will be able to interact with the maps and get a better sense of the large parts of the planet that are still unknown to the scientists.
From a business point of view, Google is using its well-known strategy of making people use its products, and finding ways to monetize its applications on a second stage. It seems that this strategy has been successful so far, Google being the most profitable internet company in the world.
But beyond the revenue it can generate, these new additions will open new horizons for users and increase their understanding of global warming issues, and that's great news. I can't wait to see it!
For more information:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/feb/01/google-earth-oceans-project
Ido
No comments:
Post a Comment