Google rolls out 3D maps and offline map access

Google unveiled some upgrades to its mapping software on Wednesday at a news conference at its San Francisco office.

Photo/Screenshot Youtube presentation of Google Maps 3-D

During the event Google previewed a handful of upcoming features, including the ability to use Google maps without an Internet connection.

Android users will be able to take maps offline from more than 100 countries and access them when they’re out of Wi-Fi range or on the subway, for example.

“No longer will you need paper maps,” said Rita Chen, a product manager for Google.

This offline mode will be available for Android use within a few weeks. Google did not address whether this feature is available for Apple products such as the iPhone. Apple announced they are dropping Google’s mapping app, rolling out their own version.

Google said it will be adding more 3-D images of buildings to Google Earth and the Google Earth app for mobile devices.

“We’re trying to create the illusion that you are flying over the city, almost as if you were in your own personal helicopter,” said Peter Birch, another product manager.

TIME Magazine reported the event, but was very critical of the effort.

“Do people really care about 3D maps? About what still, for all the maps’ spatial dimensionality, amounts to a static, visually imperfect view of the past? Will anyone use the tech in a just-getting-around sense? Or is all this coverage of the technology as the “next big thing” (from Apple as well as Google), at least in part, more blogosphere fetishizing and echo-chambering?”

Lastly Google showed off their new backpack unit called the Trekker.

The Trekker will allow for more images of remote, off-road places best reached on foot. The backpacks are rigged with cameras that technicians can use to snap Street View images of hiking trails and other wilderness locations, such as national parks.