Today, I’m talking about free Google Earth Pro. It used to cost nearly $400 a year. Now this geography based software app is about to be totally free.
Google Earth Pro is somewhat of a spinoff of Google Earth. Google Earth was started in 2004 after Google acquired a small company called Keyhole Inc. Google Earth supplies a virtual globe in which you can find geographic data anywhere in the world, or should I say universe. You can even explore Mars and the Earth’s moon on it. But with Google Earth Pro, one can get premium photos. Earth Pro automatically locates GIS (geographic information system) images. The free Earth version makes you do it the old fashion way. Earth Pro offers map addresses for spreadsheets and lets you locate multiple points at the same time. Though Earth Pro is geared for businesses, it’s often used by scientists, adventure travelers and environmentalist. It’s by no means limited to just studying the Earth. Google Earth Pro has been used for building eco-friendly homes, predicting potential disasters, and planning the next outdoor getaway, to go where few dare to go. There are dozens of other uses for Google Earth Pro.
This is why I believe this is a great call by Google. Yes, Earth Pro offers more than Earth does, but $400 more? Okay, you break that down by month and it’s only $33 a month and $7.70 a week, but look at what you’re getting with that. Or should I say, look at what you’re not getting with that. You’re only getting a few cooler perks with Earth pro, but nothing worth paying ?$33 a month. Businesses may be able to afford that, but what about that traveler hiking around the country backpacking and staying in hostels? So hats off to Google for making Earth Pro accessible to all. In today’s economy, can you pull out an extra $399 out of your hat?