Google Earth is turning 20 years old — to mark the occasion, developers have added the ability to view street panoramas from past years to its list of features. This allows users to take virtual walks and see how the appearance of streets has changed over time.
The Street View feature allows you to explore objects from different angles, such as a bird’s eye view or at ground level. Advanced users of the platform will also have access to new data sets. For example, they will be able to explore tree cover density and surface temperature at different points in time.
As people increasingly turn to the Maps app in their daily lives, Google Earth has focused on more targeted uses in recent years. For example, it can be useful for assessing buildings and land for solar panels, as well as for urban planners.