Google Earth is now available on browsers like Firefox, Edge is Opera. Previously accessible only via dedicated app, Earth has supported browser playback since 2017, with Google progressively eliminating desktop apps (not mobile apps). Until a few hours ago, however, Earth was only functional on Chrome since some implemented technologies were only available on the Google browser.
In particular Google Earth used NaCl (Native Client), feature that allows you to use the application's native C ++ code within the browser without depriving the service of any functionality. The company, however, has always stood out for the use of open web standards, and in the past three years it has tried to collaborate on projects such as WebAssembly, to ensure the execution of native code on the web in general.
In the past six months the company has tested a procedure switch between the proprietary NaCl implementation to WebAssmbly, in order to guarantee the functioning of previously "Chrome-only" services also on other web browsers. The work led to Thursday's announcement, with Google Earth finally being launched on competing browsers as well. The Safari appeal is missing, but in that case Apple support will be needed.
"We still have work to do," said the Google Earth team in the presentation post. "We need to refine our experience on all these browsers and add support for Safari." For the latter goal, Google specified in the past, we must wait for Apple to add "better support to WebGL2" on its own browser.
Anyone interested in try Google Earth on Firefox, Edge or Opera, can do so simply by pointing one of the three browsers indicated on the official Google Earth page.