Check out Google’s clip showing off gorgeous 3D cityscapes in Google Earth

As we noted in our liveblog, today’s Google Maps presser has brought out the much-anticipated 3D imagery that we’re being told is coming to both Android and iOS platforms via the Google Earth mobile app.

And as Apple reportedly gears up to preview its own 3D mapping solution at WWDC next Monday, it’s time to take a closer look at what Google’s technology can do.

Well, the search giant just posted an awesome video that shows off 3D cityscapes, complete with buildings, terrain and even landscaping, from the new 45-degree aerial imagery in Google Earth. It’s pretty awesome and I for sure am liking a lot where they’re taking maps (apparently, I’m not the only one)…

Here’s your clip.

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Some nice stuff, no?

And Google being Google, they actually own a fleet of planes to capture the world in 3D.

These gorgeous 3D maps are coming to Android “in coming weeks” and to iOS “when possible”, the search Goliath said at today’s presser.

3D maps will initially cover “several cities” in the United States and a “very large number” of cities will be covered by the year’s end, we’ve been told.

Specifically, Google promised to add 3D models to entire metropolitan areas to Google Earth on mobile devices “in the near future”, covering a combined population of 300 million people.

My only gripe has to do with the fact that 3D imagery is only available via the Google Earth mobile app.

What about desktop users?

I’m not a coder, but WebGL would make it possible to replicate this experience in a desktop browser.

I’m eager to hear your take on Google’s 3D thing so feel free to chime in down in the comments.