Typically, we cover AI tools in this newsletter but today I wanted to touch on some of the changes to Google Earth. I’ve taught Earth tools in newsrooms for eight years as part of a Google News Lab trainers program, and journalists have used them to tell some incredible stories. others, just like a Google Sheet or Google Doc.
Streamlined actions. Its interface makes it easier to find and use tools.
Work across devices. You can now work on projects from your browser or mobile, and add places and images from both.
Google has moved the toolbar from the left side to the top, making it a bit easier to find things. You can launch and manage projects down the left rail, where the tools used to be.
Other handy Google Earth tools:
Timelapse: Track 38 years of satellite photos over a given area of the earth. The timelapse shows changes over that period of time. Easy to embed, the free Timelapse is a super tool for telling environment, weather and development stories. Want to build your own timelapse apps? Tap into the Earth Engine apps page.
Earth Studio: Browser-based tool lets you record flyover videos, zoom-ins, orbits and more. Easy export to .mp4 format. The free tool also lets you export high-resolution images from it.
Google Earth Pro: Free tool downloads to your desktop and lets you search archived satellite images for dozens of years and record flyover videos. The interface is a bit clunky by today’s standards, but it’s excellent for digging up old satellite images.
Sponsor
Many exciting updates to Rolliapp 3.0! Limited number of complimentary memberships for Journalist’s Toolbox AI readers available with code: “JOURNOAI” at Rolli.ai
Free Election Tools Training Sessions
RTDNA and Google have teamed up to launch an election fact-checking training program targeted to broadcast and digital newsrooms, the organizations announced on Monday. The trainings, which last one to three hours, can be taught in-person or over Zoom. Once you decide when, where and which trainer you want, you can fill out a form linked off the program’s web page. The program costs nothing; Google covers the trainers’ time and travel costs.
Want More Training?
Contact Mike Reilley at mikereilley1 (at) gmail (dot) com to schedule an AI tools training for your staff.
Also consider a paid subscription to this newsletter or donate to Buy Me a Beer so I can build more training videos.
More AI Tools and Other Resources
Topaz AI
Video editing and generation toolsThe Rundown: Super Tools
Deep collection of AI tools for all kinds of tasksMeta Image Generator
Stand-alone, free version of the tooleditGPT
Similar to Grammarly, you can edit and track changes to your writing
Become a sponsor: Would you like to sponsor future Journalist’s Toolbox™ newsletters? Our rates are reasonable and our sponsors get results. Contact me at mikereilley1 [at] gmail [dot] com
Textbooks
The Journalist’s Toolbox
My new book, “The Journalist’s Toolbox A Guide to Digital Reporting and AI” will be published by Routledge in December. You can add the book to your wishlist and have the opportunity to pre-order it.
The book features tips, tricks and training videos on how to use digital tools, AI, mobile apps and more in your reporting. It makes for a great newsroom guide or textbook for reporting and digital courses. It’s available in “E-book Plus”, which embeds training videos and pop-ups directly into the book’s interface. It’s also available in paperback, hard cover and regular e-book format.
Data + Journalism
Samantha Sunne and I co-authored a textbook, “Data + Journalism” that’s available now on Routledge. (Order here). It’s an introductory- to intermediate-level guide to learning data storytelling from A to Z.
It features examples, interviews, links to tools and dozens of practical exercises to learn how to find, scrape, clean, visualize and write with data. We also explore ethics, transparency and basic math skills. We even offer a bonus chapter — Chapter 13 — on diversity and inclusion for free on our blog.
In Quotes …
“In journalism, there has always been a tension between getting it first and getting it right.” — Ellen Goodman
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