I didn’t go to Google I/O, mainly because I don’t actually develop anything on top of Google products and services. Still, it was great watching a video of Michael Jones, who is really the heart and soul of Google Earth and the entire Geo line. The video starts off a bit slow for those already familiar with Google’s mission, but then it kicks into high gear about half-way through with the demos (where Michael can’t resist a reference to the Prisoner…) and the introduction to the Google Earth API. 

The other major announcement, the magnitude of which probably won’t sink in for a year or so, is the agreement with ESRI to release ("from jail," as MTJ puts it), most of the world’s ESRI-based GIS information, such that Google Eartth and Virtual Earth can show it and, perhaps more fundamentally, search and index it. All it takes is the latest ESRI update and a single click of a checkbox to let the information be free. This is where the rubber meets the road (or the mashup meets the world beyond the metaverse).

I was pleased to hear about his pitch to US governors and counties to release the info — the abstract fear of terrorism is insignificant compared to all the good that can and will be done with this information. Not to get political, but I suggest you all add "Release the GIS" to your regular communication with your elected officials.