Google Earth iOS App Gains Ocean Layer, Retina Support

Google Earth for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad has been updated to version 3.1 to support the new iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4th generation Retina Display, as well as to bring the ocean layer, bathymetry, and ocean surface support.

“We recently announced the arrival of ocean bathymetry and ocean layer content to Google Earth for Android,” Peter Birch, Google Earth Product Manager writes on the search giant’s Mobile Blog.

“Today, with the latest release of Google Earth 3.1 for iOS, we’re proud to announce that you can now explore underwater landscapes and terrain on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch,” Birch says.

“Dive below the ocean’s surface to explore underwater canyons, or travel to the ocean’s deepest point, the Mariana Trench. Once underwater, simply swipe the screen with two fingers to ‘look around’,” the Google staffer explains, adding that users can reset their view at any time.

To do this, iPad users must click on the north arrow. On the iPhone and iPod touch side, users must tap the compass.

“As with the desktop and other mobile versions of Google Earth, we’ve also added the ‘Ocean’ layer, which features hundreds of photos and videos from more than 100 contributors curated by the Sylvia Earle Alliance,” the announcement continues.

Birch adds that “This version also includes native support for the new Retina display, which means that if you have an iPhone 4 or the new iPod touch, you’ll get to enjoy an even sharper view of the world.”

Available for free download using the link below, Google Earth 3.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch requires iOS 3.0 or later.

The application allows everyone to explore the same global satellite and aerial imagery available in the desktop version of Google Earth.

This includes high-resolution imagery for over half of the world's population and a third of the world's land mass.

Download Google Earth for iOS (Free)