Google Map 3D Goes Interactive, More Educational Via Verne: The Himalayas Android App

Google Map in 3D is the new feature integrated in Android's newest app called Verne: The Himalayas. It is Google's latest experiment to take the wealth of 3D mapping data a step further by turning their maps into an interactive and educational platform.

Verne: The Himalayas is a mix of a simple mobile game and a 3D Google map of the world's highest mountain range. Using the app, the players can control an adorable and rotund yeti who is a 500-feet tall giant who can wander around the Himalayas. The app gives a third-person game experience, The Verge reported.

There is a virtual D-pad incorporated for handling movement and a single button that lets the character jump and interact with objects as it gets closer enough to the objects. There is no path set, however, so players can explore at their own pace in the Himalayas 3D Google map.

At certain points, players may come across things like a ceremonial Tibetan horn where they can play a tune on and come across an umbrella that lets players soar into the air to get a bird's-eye view of the 3D Google map mountains. Players can also use the zoom option for a Google Street View perspective and get a closer look at places of interest, Tech Crunch reported.

Google bills the app as just an experiment, but it comes fully featured. All along the Google map Himalayas trail, players may also come across speakers that reel off facts and historical tidbits about the mountains just like in a real-life walking tour. It is not exactly an entire history lesson, but in just a half an hour, much information could be discovered about the region.

Google Map 3D integration to Verne: The Himalayas is aimed at kids, which makes exploring a fun and educational process. The exploratory nature of the app gives the experience of actually seeking out new places and objects.