Although everyone is raving about Google Earth 4.2’s big new additions, which include the high res photos and the “Sky” feature, there are also a couple of less publicised but vitally important new features. Important mainly to marketers that is, because they enhance the experience we can offer our users.

The first is my favourite, in fact when I heard about it I got this geeky tingling feeling... Videos!
Up to now all you could show on your placemarks were static images. With GE 4.2 you can embed YouTube vids. It’s awesome, just think about the possibilities…
To check it out, download this placemark which I found on the Google Earth blog. You need to have Google Earth installed to run it, which you can download here.

The second addition is not quite as cool as it is useful to users (and that helps us marketers as well!). It’s the addition of more placemark icons which really enhance the experience on the layer. Take for example a tourism related layer - you can now denote a place where you can go fishing and then have a braai – so no more wondering.

Here are some of the new additional icons:

Great additions, but I’ll be truly happy when there is a cricket pitch icon.