14 DAY TRIAL // Google is experimenting with using WebGL to render Google Maps. It's a very interesting move which, while being experimental, showcases what 3D graphics can mean for the web.
If you're visiting Google Maps, you'll notice that you'll be able to switch to the new MapsGL, the WebGL-powered version of the app.
"Take MapsGL, our new experimental maps experience, for a spin 3D buildings and seamless 45° aerial view rotations 'Swoop' quickly from the map view to Street View imagery, without a plugin," a notification on Google Maps reads.
MapsGL is truly impressive. If you've been using the Android version of Google Maps, you'll be familiar with some of the features.
You may also be wondering why Google hasn't made the desktop version of Maps as good as the mobile app version.
Now it's working on it. With MapsGL, you'll notice that moving about the map is much smoother. You'll also notice some nice animations at times and, depending on your computer, everything should feel faster.
However, MapsGL has some rather stringent system requirements. For some users, it will not run at all and for many it may be too slow to be usable.
This is why it's only an experiment and why you can switch back to the "Classic" Google Maps at any time.
Google says that you need at least Chrome 14 or Firefox 8 for it to work at all. Even then, it only works with Windows Vista and 7, Mac OS X 10.6 and newer and Linux.
All of this, of course, provided you have a decent graphics card and up to date drivers. All in all, the requirements are going to leave out quite a few people.
This is one of the issues holding back WebGL, many computers are not ready to run web 3D graphics. However, this should improve in time, as the technology matures and computers become more capable.