Weird things on Google Earth

I spent the first 10 years of my life in New Jersey. I still remember when I knocked out my front tooth on the swings and the time I threw a snowball at a police car and hit the cop inside on the head. That was bad.

Seeing the house on Google took me back. Yup, click that link to see where I grew up. And while you’re at it, take yourself on a walk down memory lane, too.

🏠 Blast from the past

There’s something nostalgic about revisiting the house where you grew up or experienced major life moments. 

With Google Street View’s time travel feature, you can see how it’s changed over the years, flashing back as far as Google’s cameras have been rolling in that area.

  • Open the Google Maps app and search for a place.
  • At the bottom, tap the place name or address.
  • Scroll and select the photo labeled Street View, or select the thumbnail with a Street View icon.
  • While viewing a location in Street View, tap anywhere on the image, then tap See more dates.

How fun is that, right?

🌎Check out these interesting Google Earth images

Open Google Earth. Copy one of the coordinates I listed below. Paste it into the Search box in Google Earth (you’ll find it on the left side of the screen). Press Enter to zoom into the exact location instantly. Repeat.

  • Airplane storage facility: 32°08’59.96″ N, 110°50’09.03″W
  • Mysterious desert pattern: 27°22’50.10″N, 33°37’54.62″E
  • The Badlands Guardian: 50°0’38.20″N, 110°6’48.32″W (Zoom out a bit to see it.)
  • Strange target in Nevada: 37°33’50.17”N, 116°51’4.44″W
  • Weird shape in Nevada: 37°24’5.66″N, 116°52’4.11″W
  • China desert roads: 40°27’29.33″ N, 93°23′ 35.32″E
  • Big giant in Chile: 19°56’56.96″S, 69°38’1.83″W
  • My studios: 33°31’35″N, 112°03’51″W
  • Shipwrecks all over the world.

🤣 I once met the man who invented the part of a map that explains what each symbol means. Wow! What a legend.

Delete location sharing apps – How to share in the ones you use

Location sharing helps you worry less. Whether your friend’s late for dinner, your kid’s almost home or your partner’s on the way from the airport, it sure beats sending a bunch of texts back and forth.

The bad news is more and more location-sharing apps have been caught selling your data to third parties. You don’t need a separate app for location sharing; it’s baked right into the apps you already use.

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Blur your house on Google maps

Don’t want to allow nosey people to see your house? Try this!

📍 Google Maps pro tip: You don’t need to know the exact name of something to find it. Search Maps for general terms, like “plants and trees,” “frame shop” or “dog park,” and Google will find you spots that match.

NASA just brought GPS to the moon

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I predict one day the moon will have its own version of Google Maps. Plus, a couple of great apps that’ll help you stargaze at night.

Tech tip: Share your ETA on the go

I hate being late. No one wants to leave friends hangry at a restaurant. Here’s a trick I use: Share your ETA right from your map app. It keeps everyone in the loop.

It’s way better than sharing your location 24/7. Imagine if we’d had this tech back in our 20s. Total concert and party game‑changer!

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6 ways tech can solve life's little annoyances

Minor tech annoyances can seem small at the moment. But in the grand scheme of things, they can cause stress and wasted time. If you don’t want tech issues to have a significant impact, cut them off with these tech life hacks.

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Google Maps is adding pop-up ads

Talk about distracted driving, am I right?

Design your garden with Google Maps

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Use satellite view to map your yard, sketch layouts, and get ready for spring. Nice!

🌲 When your backyard needs a makeover: Super-smart idea spotted on Reddit: Use Google Maps to see your space from a different perspective. Sketch the rough outline, then take a photo on your phone. Now you have a template. Print copies and start sketching ideas.

Oh, crap, you have to run to the mall: There’s no time to wander around, looking for your car, when you’re done fighting the crowds. On Google Maps, tap the blue dot (your location), then choose Save your parking. Have an iPhone? Say, “Siri, remember where I parked my car,” and you’ll get a pin on the map.

Stop losing your car at the mall: Open the Google Maps app, tap the blue dot that shows your location, then select Save parking.

Save gas and stay safe: smart Google Maps tricks for holiday travel

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Nearly 120 million Americans plan to hit the road this season. Use these tips to save money, find cool spots, and travel smarter.

"We have pics of your home"

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Scammers are sending emails with Google Maps images of your house, claiming they’ve hacked your computer. Are they for real? Here’s the answer.

Remove your home on Google Maps

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Burglars use Google Maps to scout homes without getting close — until they strike. This is why you should blur your house, and I’ve got the steps.

How to download maps to your phone (Apple and Google Maps)

Long road trips can be stressful if you’re going through places with spotty service. This hack will help you stay on your path no matter how many bars you have.

How to use Google Maps to plan your trip

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Looking forward to your summer vacation? Check out this handy feature on Google Maps — it’s a real time-saver!

Google Maps feature to save money

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For real, it can save you 5% to 15% on gas!

Offline maps for your travels

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Apple and Google Maps can really help you get around, but there’s a key trick you should know about.

3 Google Maps tricks

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Looking for a better way to get around town? Give these hacks a try.