Google Earth to be updated with ‘Time Machine’: Here’s how it will change the user experience!

Tech giant Google is set to unveil a feature for Google Earth, dubbed ‘Time Machine’, which will allow users to view imagery dating back as early as the 1930s. This launch will enable users to explore aerial and satellite images from the past 80 years. 

Presently, Google Earth already has the functionality to allow users to view images that date back to several decades. However, the latest update will ensure access to images spanning up to 8 decades. This feature will encompass several historical cities, like Paris, London, Warsaw, San Fransisco, and more, giving users a glimpse of how these cities appeared in the 1930s. 

The new feature will enable users to compare historical images with the current view of the locations, offering a deeper understanding of how landscapes across various locations have changed over time. 

In a demonstration, Google showed the comparison of San Fransisco’s images from 1938 and 2024, underscoring how the city’s ports have changed over time, with cruise ships and restaurants replacing the old shipping hubs. 

Users will be able to access this feature both on mobile and web platforms, as the company is set to unveil this feature in just a few weeks. 

The current update will also include an expansion of the Street View Feature, which will be available in approximately 80 countries, further improving the visual exploration experience. 

Google also seeks to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the quality of images on both Google Earth and Google Maps. This AI integration will ensure clearer and sharper images, enhancing users’ overall experience.