Google Maps Charts 3D Earth View

Google search engine incorporated Google Earth into Google Maps, bringing a 3D perspective to a map when used with a supported browser.

"Earth view offers a true three-dimensional perspective, which lets you experience mountains in full detail, 3D buildings and first-person dives beneath the ocean. The motion is fluid, and you can see the world from any viewpoint," wrote Google product manager Peter Birch on Google's Lat Long blog.

The move comes five years after the launch of Google Earth as a stand-alone application, and two years after the Google Earth browser plug-in was released.