Technoleros

Google obviously got an earful about killing Google Earth Plus and sent me updated email just one day after their original email.  After a considerable amount of negative feedback about pulling the import and tracking features from all versions of Google Earth except for the $400 Pro Version, Google will soon provide these features in the free version!  Here is the explanation that they provided me:

As mentioned in our previous email, we’ve simplified our product choices for our Google Earth customers and Google Earth Plus is no longer available for purchase. This has caused some concerns from our customers who rely mostly on the GPS features of Plus, so we wanted to address them.

We know that one of the main reasons why people choose Google Earth Plus is GPS import and tracking. We realize that some users are disappointed in the loss of this feature, so we wanted to let you know we’re working on making GPS one of the features of the free version in the near future. In the meantime, we’re happy to extend expiring Plus subscriptions for three months — free of charge — and continue to extend until the GPS feature is available for free. Learn how to extend your current Plus subscription.

These product changes are based on user feedback that with 3 different products — Google Earth, Google Earth Plus, and Google Earth Pro — customers sometimes got confused about what each version offered. Over time, the separation between Plus and the free product has decreased, and by moving GPS features into the free product, we believe that Google Earth will meet the needs of most of our existing Plus users.

I purchased Google Earth Plus so I could utilize my real-time GPS cursor in Google Earth.  Along with a combination of other plugins and data, it was almost like I had a full-blown GIS system running.  Well, I got an email today from Google stating that they were discontinuing Google Earth Plus.  Here are a couple of excerpts:

As a valued Google Earth customer, we want you to be the first to know that Google is phasing out Google Earth Plus. We believe the needs of most Google Earth Plus customers will be met with Google Earth, which is freely available to all our customers. For those customers who require additional capabilities and faster speeds, we would like to offer you a special opportunity to try Google Earth Pro free of charge. If you like it, you can buy it at a special discount available only to Google Earth Plus customers.

If your Google Earth Plus license is about to expire, and you’re hooked on the GPS data import capability, we’re happy to extend your subscription for 3 months, free of charge. Learn more

I guess I’m going to break down and purchase Google Earth Pro.