Google Earth View Extension for Chrome Brings Satellite Imagery to New Tabs

Google has introduced a new extension for its Chrome browser that lets users move away from the stereotypical new page on opening a new tab, and instead view different Google Earth images.

"Open a @googlechrome tab, win a prize! And by "prize" we mean #EarthView image," tweeted Google Maps.

Google also made the announcement on its Google+ page for Google Maps, saying, "+Google Chrome tabs, meet #EarthView images. This is the beginning of a beautiful satellite-enhanced friendship."

The extension called 'Earth View from Google Maps' shows different satellite images as the tab's background image every time a user opens a new Chrome tab. The images range from forest landscapes to aerial views of cities and oceans.

Users can explore more locations by clicking on a globe icon on the bottom-right corner of the screen and view user-clicked images of the particular place within Google Maps.

A downside of the extension, first spotted by Engadget, is that Earth View from Google Maps deletes the user's recently viewed pages and quick tabs.

Last month, Google also announced that it is rebranding its Google Maps Engine Lite custom maps app to My Maps. The company further revealed that it will upgrade all maps created in classic Google Maps Engine Lite app to the new My Maps by end of this year. However, users can get started right away by upgrading to the new My Maps.

The new My Maps Android app is available for download on Google Play and the app's What's New section lists that the new app name and logo My Maps in place of the old Maps Engine, apart from improved search and marker adding.