Google diving into 3D mapping of oceans: Google Ocean
This is pretty cool if they do it, it will make finding new shipwrecks a whole lot easier. But like Google Mars, I’m not exactly sure how they are going to sell ad space on it.
The company has assembled an advisory group of oceanography experts, and in December invited researchers from institutions around the world to the Mountain View, Calif., Googleplex. There, they discussed plans for creating a 3D oceanographic map, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The tool–for now called Google Ocean, is similar to other 3D online mapping applications. People areable to see the underwater topography, called bathymetry; search for particular spots or attractions; and navigate through the digital environment by zooming and panning. (The tool, however, is not to be confused with the “Google Ocean” project by France-based Magic Instinct Software that uses Google Earth as a visualization tool for marine data.)
Popularity: 6% [?]
