Google Maps has surprise for satellite imagery lovers

Update details

Starting this week, Google is introducing clearer satellite imagery to Maps and Earth using its Cloud Score+ AI model, which can recognize and remove clouds, cloud shadows, haze, and fog. This is done without removing ice, snow, mountain shadows, and other real-world weather conditions.

This will result in a brighter, more vibrant globe for a more accurate, more precise view of the Earth.

Google is also launching one of the largest updates to Street View with new images in nearly 80 countries.

Street View is being launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Namibia, Liechtenstein, and Paraguay for the first time. The coverage will also be expanded to countries such as Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Rwanda, Serbia, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, and Uruguay.

Street View update (photo: 9to5Google)

Street View update (photo: 9to5Google)

Street View update (photo: 9to5Google)

Finally, Google Earth is getting new historical (satellite and aerial) imagery covering up to 80 years on websites and mobile devices.

Below you can see a black-and-white photo of San Francisco in 1938, taken by pilots at Oakland Airport. During this period, the ports were used mainly for shipping and industry - compared to the image from 2022, where you see piers dotted with restaurants and cruise ships docked in the harbor.

Comparison of San Francisco in 1938 and today (photo: 9to5Google)

Google Maps also added an important feature for drivers.