Google's new 3D maps: 4 talking points

This week, the king of search (and future sci-fi glasses manufacturer) announced sweeping new changes to its ubiquitous mapping software, Google Maps. Among the new features: A three-dimensional version of Google Earth, allowing users to move around, rotate, and interact with computer-generated 3D images of a fully realized cityscape. Google's Peter Birth promises "magic": The new-and-improved Google Maps "creates the illusion you're flying over the city," he says. Here, four talking points:

1. Google's third dimension is visually stunning

Birth's demo took journalists on a 3D tour of San Francisco. (Watch it below.) We saw "every single building in the city, as well as plant life, statues, and other landmarks," says Nathan Olivarez-Giles at Wired. San Francisco's skeleton was compiled from overhead shots, and then overlaid with colors and textures to give it the look and feel of an eye-popping photograph. There's no set release date yet, though Google is hoping to have "communities of over 300 million people modeled by the end of the year." But really, what good are 3D maps, asks Mark Hachman at PC Mag. Do they look cool? Undoubtedly. But in lieu of real-world usability, these 3D maps seem more like a gimmick.

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2. And you'll be able to access it offline with your smartphone

Lost in a part of town with spotty phone service? Google wants to make sure you never encounter that problem again, by making Google Maps available offline for the first time ever. This feature (initially available for Android phones only) will require some forethought: Before you hit the town, you must click on a portion of the city you're in to download the map to your phone in case the connection cuts out.

3. Google is photographing uncharted territory

So far, Google's camera-equipped vehicles have driven a total of 5 million miles to collect 20 petabytes of Street View imagery. Now Google wants to go off-road. "Until now, Google has used cars, trikes, snowmobiles, and trolleys to capture Street View imagery," says Joanna Stern at ABC News. The search giant's newest camera will be strapped to a hiker's back, and will capture 360 degree photographs. The 35-pound device could soon be spotted on a Google employee trudging down a backroad near you.

4. But the timing sure is curious...

There's a big, not-so-secret rumor underpinning Google's announcement: Apple is reportedly working on its own advanced mapping software, and purportedly plans to ditch Google Maps on iPhones and iPads. Some speculate that Apple's announcement could come as early as next week. "Gee, I wonder why [Google] previewed this now, rather than waiting until it actually shipped?" says John Gruber at Daring Fireball.

Preview the 3D tour of San Francisco: