GOOGLE TO SHUT DOWN GOOGLE EARTH API

google earth api

Today, Google announced its plans to shut down the Google Earth API. After Google’s announcement last month regarding its plan for ending NPAPI support in Chrome this was somewhat expected.

I am sure many of you are wondering what Google Earth API is. If you are asking this question, you probably won’t miss it too much. Here is Google’s explanation of Google Earth’s API:

The Google Earth Plug-in and its JavaScript API let you embed Google Earth, a true 3D digital globe, into your web pages. Using the API you can draw markers and lines, drape images over the terrain, add 3D models, or load KML files, allowing you to build sophisticated 3D map applications. If you have an existing Maps API site, you can 3D-enable your page with as little as one line of code.

Google Earth API will officially be shut down December 12th 2015. However, for the next year only the following browsers will be supported:

  • Apple Mac OS X 10.6 or later (any Intel Mac): Google Chrome 5.0-39.0 (32-bit), Safari 3.1+, and Firefox 11.0-34
  • Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista, 7, and 8): Google Chrome 5.0-39.0 (32-bit), Internet Explorer 7-9 and 10-11 with Compatibility View (32-bit), and Firefox 11.0-34.0

It does not sound like the end for developers though. Google hinted that there might be something coming. “3D is in our blood, and while we can’t announce anything just now, we look forward to sharing more exciting product news in the future.”

You can read more about this in Google’s official announcement.

As I previously mentioned, this does not appear to be the end for those of you that take advantage of Google Earth API. I would not be surprised if Google announces their “exciting product news”. For you developers out there, what are your thoughts? Will you miss Google Earth API? Let us know in the comment section below.