The subject of the email from GoogleLabs was enticing.  And the contents even more so :

Want to know more about a specific location? Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world’s geographic information at your fingertips.

According to the beta site earth.google.com :

– Fly from space to your neighborhood. Type in an address and zoom right in.
– Search for schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Get driving directions.
– Tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain and buildings.
– Save and share your searches and favorites. Even add your own annotations.

The idea is simple. It’s a globe that sits inside your PC. You point and zoom to anyplace on the planet that you want to explore. Satellite images and local facts zoom into view.

The best part?  Google Earth is free for personal use. No registration required.