On an Eee: Google Earth and hidden flight simulator

nobody@vox.com(Ant UK) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:10:20 +0000

I absolutely love Google Earth. Words alone can't begin to describe my unnatural infatuation with it. It's pretty darn good on my PC but that isn't the size and weight of a hardback book. Fortunately my Eee is and fortunately my Eee works with my mobile 3G connection. And surprisingly it works well with a 3G connection! Of course the Eee is able to use WiFi without much effort but unlike WiFi I can use my 3G practically anywhere I would want to use it.

I won't give you a description of Google Earth itself as most people using the interwebs will be aware of what it is and what it does. So, just enjoy these screen grabs of the app at work...

Google Earth - Start up on Eee PC

The above is pretty self explanatory but not all that exciting as a still picture. Hmm, that's an idea - where's my video camera? Well until I find it these still pictures will have to do! Keep on scrolling...

Google Earth on Eee PC (Americas)

Ahh, the best hemisphere in the World - take that Southern Hemisphere!

Google Earth on Eee PC - Windowed

What it looks like windowed. Although I've yet to show it, the Eee PC is easily capable of multitasking with Google Earth running. I've even watched a bit The Daily Show whilst 'flying' (some of the interviews aren't all that and it beats playing Solitaire!)

Google Earth on Eee PC - 3D O2 Arena

London's infamous gigantic teepee (also known as the O2 Arena) in glorious 3D.

Google Earth on Eee PC - Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in 3D

Can I just say I love the building in the foreground. I've not been fortunate enough to go inside it yet but have spent a fair bit of time viewing it from outside. Notice the trees? Yes they really exist! The smaller dome thingy is an IMAX and it's not bad either. I've been in that one and it's far bigger than it appears.

Google Earth on Eee PC - Manhattan in 3D

Over to New York. Not sure where this is - the buildings look a bit unfamiliar in grey. It's somewhere in Midtown anyway! The Eee PC struggles quite a bit with 3D enabled in Manhattan but that really shouldn't be a surprise and to be fair it gives its all. I should point out that an Eee needs a bit of tweaking to do any 3D (including speeding the unit up by flashing it with an unofficial bios).

Google Earth error

Isn't that typical? First time I decide to take some screengrabs of Google Earth at work I get this error (one I've never had before) cropping up. Next, some flying from Heathrow...

Google Earth on Eee - Flight Sim 1

This is so much fun and works well even on an Eee running at original speed and using a 3G mobile phone for internet connection. On a LAN or WiFi it works better but in all honesty not that more noticeably so. Turning off 3D is a good idea, especially over Manhattan!

Google Earth on Eee - Flight Sim 2

Good job I've levelled out a bit! By the way, the flying isn't all that difficult. To prove my point I let my 5 year-old nephew give it a go and he stayed in the air for a remarkable amount of time. This is installed and working on my niece's Eee and they all get a kick out of using it.

Google Earth on Eee - Flight Sim 3

Google Earth on Eee - Flight Sim 4

Google Earth on Eee - Flight Sim 5

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Some pictures taken by me in the last week with a Skypephone

nobody@vox.com(Ant UK) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:57:32 +0000

As you can see I've just uploaded the lot, I think it gives a better idea of the quality you should expect rather than me cherry picking the best ones. Some are of MMS size and some clearly are sideways - I forgot to do a lossless JPG rotation before uploading!

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Anthony's FRESH PLASTIC

On an Eee: Google Earth and hidden flight simulator

Some pictures taken by me in the last week with a Skypephone