The Google Earth API and its JavaScript API let you embed Google Earth, a true 3D digital globe, into your web pages. Using the API you can draw markers and lines, drape images over the terrain, add 3D models, or load KML files, allowing you to build sophisticated 3D map applications. If you have an existing Maps API site, you can 3D-enable your page with as little as one line of code.

Download: Google Earth API 1.1 Beta 

Labels: 3D, APIs, Earth, plug-in, Software

Google today sped ahead in the web search domain once again with the release of the Google Earth API. Yes, the recent improvements to Live Maps were impressive, but today the search giant has put Google Earth into the browser. Microsoft made this move first, completely disregarding Google's client release of Google Earth, with its Virtual Earth API and browser plug-in. Google's Windows-only release today seems to focus on 3D, and speed. The performance is noticeably superior to Microsoft's, but there are still obvious kinks that need to be worked out.

Read more: arstechnica.com 

Labels: 3D, browser, Earth, plug-in, Software