Google Maps, the Mountain View-based search engine’s web mapping service application, now has a new feature to boast about – Earth View. What this feature does is bring the interactive 3D view of Google Earth directly to your browser. To put it bluntly, this is an integration of Google Earth in Google Maps.

According to Google the new feature offers a “new, immersive experience” to the hundreds of millions of people all over the world. “Google Maps users can now swoop down from space to explore their favorite parts of the planet in 3D. Earth view offers a true three-dimensional perspective which lets users experience mountains in full detail, 3D buildings, and first-person dives beneath the ocean,” said Google in a press release.

Here are the bits and pieces you can do with Earth View in Google Maps:
- Fly to the location of your choice.
- Use the navigation tools conveniently located to the left side of the screen to zoom, pan, and tilt.
- Explorer 3D buildings and terrain.
- Get directions, search for businesses.
- Switch between Map View, Satellite View an Earth View.

“Current Google Earth users, of course, will continue to enjoy the full power of the standalone application: KML editing, historical imagery, GPS tracks, tour-creation, Mars, Sky, flight simulator and so on. But for quick online access, the power of 3D will also be available at the click of a[n Earth] button. We’re thrilled to be able to bring this functionality to the web,” commented VP of Engineering with Google Geo, Brian McClendon.

To get started with Earth View in Google Maps, just click here. You can see Earth View in action on YouTube here.
Please note that the Google Earth Plugin is needed for Earth View to work. If the plugin is not installed, you’ll be prompted to download it when you visit Google Maps.

In related news, Google Maps 4.1 for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 phones now features search by voice. If you have a Windows Mobile or a Symbian S60, you can simply speak to the mobile device and Google Maps will search for whatever you said. Search by voice allows you to look for places, addresses, specific businesses, types of addresses, and other kinds of searches.

To install the latest version of Google Maps for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 phones, visit m.google.com/maps from your mobile device’s web browser.

In further related news, Google Maps Navigation is now available for the UK and Ireland. Still in Beta, Google Maps Navigation is an application that works on Android 1.6 and higher; it provides turn-by-turn directions for free.

“With Google Maps Navigation (beta), now available in the UK and Ireland for Android devices 1.6 and higher, traveling by car couldn’t be easier. Like other satnav devices, Navigation includes 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and automatic rerouting. But because Google Maps Navigation is connected to the Internet, it also features powerful functionality you can’t get from other satnav services, including the most up to date map, business, and traffic data, access to satellite and street views, and of course, search,” explained Product Marketing Manager, Sara Rowghan.

To get Google Maps Navigation, visit the Android Market from your mobile device and search for “Google Maps.”