Sure, AJAX, when viewed through the prism of the still world of HTML and CSS, can be beautifully dynamic. But, let’s face it, Google Earth — despite its resource-laden design and slow response on slower systems — is a much more natural, a friendlier way to view geographic data. With Microsoft trying hard to reclaim the (tech) lead on mapping (see Virtual Earth, WorldWide Telescope), it’s up to Google to stop the surge.

Enter the Google Earth API and browser plugin — software that opens up Google Earth for use within browsers and accessible by web developers. Sadly, it’s only available for Windows right now — I bet this will change soon.