Google on Monday unveiled Google Earth for Android, which will be available in the Android Market for all phones running Android 2.1.

Google on Monday unveiled Google Earth for Android, which will be available in the Android Market for all phones running Android 2.1.

"This is our fastest mobile version of Google Earth yet, with a smooth frame rate and a beautiful 800 x 480 screen," Peter Birch, a Google product manager, wrote in a blog post.

The Android version of the mapping program will now include the Roads layer, which labels road names on top of satellite imagery; like in the screen grab on the left. Google has also incorporated voice recognition into the app. "Try speaking 'Eiffel tower' or 'best burrito Mission district of San Francisco.' Maybe you're trying to find some nice lodging for an upcoming getaway to Lake Tahoe. Just say 'romantic getaway Lake Tahoe,'" Birch wrote.

As with other versions, Google Earth for Android also includes photos, places, and local businesses, and the ability to customize so it displays the layers you use most.



To download, search "Google Earth" in the Android Market. Since this is just for phones running Android 2.1, Droid users will have to wait until Motorola rolls out the long-awaited update. The company has promised that it will make its debut "soon."

Google first previewed Google Earth for Android during the January launch event for its Nexus One smartphone.