Google Maps for Android has offered a vector 3D optionfor some time, presenting a fully adjustable, 360 degree view of the world. Now Google hasannouncedthat it’s bringing this to the browser, too in addition to other visual enhancements.
If you have Chrome 14 or above, or the latest beta version of Firefox, and a graphics card that supports WebGL, you’ll be now be able to tryGoogle Maps GL. As the video below demonstrates, it offers a hardware-accelerated, 3D version of Google Maps without the need for a plugin.
Benefits of this include faster access to Street View and 45-degree satellite views of certain locations, with smooth rotations.
Google has previously used WebGL in Chrome Experiments like3 Dreams of BlackandAll is Not Lost, but this is the first time it’s been used in a core Google product.
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Story byMartin SFP Bryant
Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletter PreSeed Now and technology and media consultancy Big Revolution. He was previously(show all)Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletterPreSeed Nowand technology and media consultancyBig Revolution. He was previously Editor-in-Chief at TNW.
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