<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Google\u2019s mission is famously to \u201Corganize the world\u2019s information and make it universally accessible and useful.\u201D  Apparently, that mission really does include the entire world, as the company is set to roll out an update to Google Earth that will include imagery and maps from the planet\u2019s oceans.\nAccording to The Guardian, the new features will also include environmental data to help track the \u201Ceffect of climate change on the world\u2019s seas and oceans.\u201D  Former Vice President and environmentalist Al Gore will be part of an event today in San Francisco to announce the Google Earth upgrade.  Meanwhile, we wonder where this fits into Google\u2019s broader plan for world domination.\nHow Is Google Getting This Data?\nUnlike Google Street View, where Google obtains street-level imagery by sending vans around the country gathering photos, it doesn\u2019t sound like the company is deploying its own submarines to explore the ocean (cue shareholder sigh of relief).  Rather, Google is developing partnerships with others that already send vessels underwater.  \n\n\nNational Geographic's Underwater Imagery\n\nThe Guardian notes that in addition to Gore, another adviser to the project is Sylvia Earle, an \"explorer-in-residence\" at National Geographic.  That publication and cable channel are well-regarded for their coverage of the world\u2019s extreme locations, so a partnership there would be a big boon to the project.  Ideally (for Google), there isn\u2019t a massive cash overlay needed to collect the data, but rather, they can piggyback on others and share revenue down the line.  \nIs There Money to be Made?\nGoogle Earth, which has now reportedly been used by more than 400 million people (note: not necessarily active users), is a free product.  And while there are naturally opportunities for local advertising, that\u2019s not exactly the case for ocean imagery.  So how could underwater imagery and data make money?  \nWhile it sounds like Earth underwater would be super cool for the curious to check out, it also sounds like there could be a wealth of well-organized data that\u2019s worth money to the types of people that seriously research this stuff.  That said, charging for data is something Google hasn\u2019t done in the past \u2013 a more natural fit might be licensing the data to be used in other commercial applications.\nMore Information Coming\nGoogle will be holding a press conference at 1pm ET/10am PT to discuss the project.  We\u2019ll update here if any more key details (and hopefully some cool images) emerge.\nUpdate (1:30ET): Google has announced the launch of Google Earth 5.0, complete with ocean imagery and lots of other new features.  For a demo, see the video below:\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdditional Resources\n\n- Google Maps: 100+ Best Tools and Mashups\n- 17 Google Maps Mashups To Waste Away Your Day\n- HOW TO: Get the Most Out of Google Maps\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2009/02/02/google-earth-ocean-imagery/>