Google did something really crazy in a good way, they have released a Google Earth VR application for free that allows you to explore the world from totally new perspectives in Virtual Reality. You can walk around, fly by and browse many different places all around the world and explore them interactively almost as if you are there, while at the same time you are at sitting comfortably at home. Taking virtual reality to the next level with the help of actual real world imaging and 3D models of buildings, landmarks and such...
Google Earth VR is essentially the normal Google Earth application designed to be used in 3D mode with a VR headset and more specifically the HTC VIVE VR headset as it requires user control and interaction with the hand controllers. Most likely Google with also update to support Oculus Rift in the future when the upcoming Oculus Touch controllers become available to users of the device, but for now it is only HTC VIVE.
Google Earth VR lets you explore the world from totally new perspectives in virtual reality. Stroll the streets of Tokyo, soar over the Grand Canyon, or walk around the Eiffel Tower. This virtual reality app lets you see the world’s cities, landmarks, and natural wonders. You can fly over a city, stand at the top of the highest peaks, and even soar into space. Earth VR comes with cinematic tours and hand-picked destinations that send you to the Amazon River, the Manhattan skyline, the Grand Canyon, the Swiss Alps, and more.
Google Earth VR still has some quirks and bugs that need to be fixed, but still it is already a pretty nice VR experience that you can currently have with a Virtual Reality headset such as the HTC VIVE. The application is free and is available for download from the Steam Store, so if you have HTC VIVE VR headset it is a must try for sure.
Exploring a city you have never been to with the help of Google Earth VR could really be the closest thing you can currently get in terms of realism and experience apart from actually going there yourself, or that could be after some additional work to further improve the things and details is being done. Do note that not all cities have 3D renderings, so some might be flat out images only, also some places are not as nice to look up close as their 3D-ness is a bit weird looking and blocky, but then again it is the same if you view the place from within the regular Google Earth app.
Looking at things up close may not be the best thing to do as 3D objects may not be that great and textures not so detailed, but if you put enough distance so it seems like you are like a giant walking around they do look just fine. So if you ask what could be a killer VR application, then Google Earth VR might as well be that application after some additional work and it is free to use, so no need to pay anything to get access to it, apart from the high price to have the hardware to run it that you already probably paid.
Google Earth VR really looks promising and has a lot of potential for improvement and making it even greater of an experience, especially in VR, so if you already have an HTC VIVE you should definitely try it. If you don’t, well no need to buy one just for that application considering it is not yet finished and refined, but in the future who knows… Google may really make something that will really bring the WOW effect for VR not just for the short term experience, but also making it really even better looking and more useful than currently it is.
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