http://mashable.disqus.com/Internet and Technology News - Mashable is the world’s largest blog focused exclusively on Web 2.0 and Social Networking news. With more than 5 million monthly pageviews, Mashable is the most prolific blog reviewing new Web sites and services, publishing breaking news on what’s new on the web.enTue, 15 Jul 2008 12:37:47 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/07/15/google-earth-3d-cities/#comment-6011145<p>Comments of all lengths are welcome. Google Earth is definitely becoming more useful as it expands its features, existing layers, and adds new ones. It's turning into a platform that can be used for anything, personal navigation. Education. News delivery.</p><p>Who knows, it may not be long before Google brings Lively into Google Earth.</p>PaulGlazowskiTue, 15 Jul 2008 12:37:47 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/07/15/google-earth-3d-cities/#comment-6011144<p>Maybe spooky, but super convenient!</p>PaulGlazowskiTue, 15 Jul 2008 12:34:28 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/07/15/google-earth-3d-cities/#comment-6011143<p>Sorry for the long-ass comment post!</p>Eric RiceTue, 15 Jul 2008 12:26:13 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/07/15/google-earth-3d-cities/#comment-6011142<p>I used Google Earth extensively to fly through Tokyo before visiting and it was a huge help. When I returned, they had added exact building renders, so everything was familiar. I'm going to use Google Earth much more intimately for Paris, almost a year before going, to see how fluent I can be with a city before setting foot there.</p><p>On another note, while folks have looked at Google's Lively as some 'virtual world', I think it would be prudent to note that with Google's 3D modeling program, Earth engine, 3D Warehouse (user gen content), purchase of a game advertising company, and of course Google Maps, the notion of virtual worlding/gaming worlds is scattered about, and Lively is just a smidge of that.</p><p>Google maps and earth tend to get some pushback from fans of the pure 'open-world' model, but I'd like to point out that Google maps has been used with various functionality, to illustrate/navigate places like Second Life, Grand Theft Auto and World of Warcraft.</p><p>They might not be aware (but probably are) at something much bigger than what people are seeing. And with the recent relationships with Sony on their Playstation platform, I'd hope more people would start putting 2+2 together.</p><p>Something's up, but not sure what, yet. Although, we can hope. :)</p>Eric RiceTue, 15 Jul 2008 12:25:23 -0000