ArcGIS Explorer update - more KML support, Geotagged photos, embed in web pages and more

The ESRI International UC is just around the corner so that means loads of product releases. We know that ArcGIS 9.3 will come very soon, but today the company has opted to announce the release of the latest update of ArcGIS Explorer, jam-packed with loads of new functionality.

The new version of ArcGIS Explorer offers

• ArcGIS Explorer now supports connections to enterprise geodatabases and Geographically Encoded Objects for RSS feeds (GeoRSS) and allows you to import GPS eXchange Format (GPX) format data. ArcGIS Explorer default maps and layers have been updated including enhanced topographic map services and updated streets, boundaries, and places. ArcGIS Explorer also offers improved KML/KMZ support.
• ArcGIS Explorer now provides direct e-mail capabilities, allowing users to easily share their maps, layers, and results with others.
• ArcGIS Explorer offers more ways to control user interface elements such as auto-zoom to results and automatic display of saved or e-mailed pop-up windows. Also, ArcGIS Explorer can now be embedded in a Web page.
• Additions to dashboarding capabilities include a new HTML-driven Quick Content task and a streamlined home server setup.
• ArcGIS Explorer provides increased display performance for all layer types. Navigation speed has also been improved.
• More options for map display—ArcGIS Explorer 480 adds support for graticules and reference grids (U.S. National Grid [USNG], Military Grid Reference System [MGRS]). It also offers the ability to set raster background transparency, new options for point symbols and symbol size, improved pop-up window capabilities, and easier access to feature attributes.
• ArcGIS Explorer Software Developer Kit (SDK) now supports Visual Studio 2008 and includes an updated object model to support new features and enhancements.
• Resource Center—New tasks, layers, and results are also available from the updated ArcGIS Explorer Resource Center. For example, you can download the Add Photo task directly from the Resource Center to add geotagged photos to ArcGIS Explorer.
• ArcGIS Explorer now runs on Windows Vista, Service Pack 1, on specific graphics card/driver configurations.

To download ArcGIS Explorer and get more info see www.esri.com/arcgisexplorer.

This release should help you find what you're looking for!