Google Moon and Google Earth

Hot on the heals of the the amazing Google Earth project is the latest from Keyhole – Google Moon. For a laugh zoom right up close to the moon’s surface and you will confirm one of the oldest assumptions of human kind.

Like most people when they first use Google Maps in satellite mode and then when using Google Earth for the first time I was blown away. It’s just so much fun to be able to go anywhere on the planet and zoom in. Very neat, very cutting edge. Even my anti-geek friends appreciate the cool factor of this tool. But can it be profitable? That’s yet to be proven.

The possibilities are amazing and what Google is already doing with map directions and business localisation is outstanding, kudos to them for again breaking new ground. I’m just not so sure how they can monetize this service. I can see they already offer a paid premium service for business clientele and no doubt, terrorist jokes aside, some people some where are putting the service to very good practical use.

What I wonder though is, as an individual consumer how will I make use of this service after the fun factor wares off? Will it replace my humble referdex (street directory) which sits in the backseat of the car? Probably not today, but very likely tomorrow as the world goes fully digital. Will I use it to plan my next holiday overseas? Hmm, probably not but it might spark some inspiration on where I want to visit next if I can take a look from above first. The Pyramids do look nice…

Yaro Starak