Google Earth Secret

A hidden flight simulator!

Google has always done its best to make programs that compare with Microsoft’s dominating software- office programs for example. And to be honest, the software has always been quite stable and perfectly usable. As it happens, Google has also just launched its own Powerpoint rival. But, we never thought Google’s rivalry would extend to gaming.

Now, in the new Google Earth, you will find a secret Flight Simulator with which you can fly around Google Earth’s excellent satellite imagery as if you were really in a plane. At the moment, there is only a choice of two planes, but this will surely be expanded with time. The HUD is simple but easy to work with.

To access the simulator, open Google Earth and hit (in Windows) Ctrl+Alt+A or Command+Option+A in Mac OS. You can start anywhere in the world- from a list of pre-determined airports you can choose from or from the point you are at at the moment you push the command for the flight sim. The F16 Viper is a quick fighter jet, but the SR22 is easier to fly. A list of controls can be found here, but joysticks can also be configured.

The actual game is very simple, but what really makes it interesting is being able to fly over and past real pictures of real locations, and not just CGI. I personally think it’s a great idea, and has lots of potential, especially if Google continue to include nice little additions to their software.

[Source: Techcrunch, Images: Nice Ventures, WebWare, MrBelShaw.com]