Google Earth's 3D imagery is now available on several Apple devices.

Owners of an iPad2, iPhone 4S or the most recent iPod touch, have the ability to see 3D images of various locations worldwide.

Android users have had access to the application since last month, while Apple users have not up until Thursday.

Google uses planes to snap aerial photos of every street and building in metropolitan areas from various viewpoints to help construct the map.

Close to a dozen of these major cities have already been snapped for Google Earth 3D map images, including Boston, Los Angeles, Charlotte, N.C. and Portland, Oregon.

"By the end of this year, we're targeting getting coverage for 300 million people, and that's really just this year. We're looking to add and expand to that," Peter Birch, a product manager on Google's geo team, stated of the system.

Google will continue to release 3D images for new cities and hopes to have covered all metropolitan areas.

To enhance the user experience, Apple users also have access to a "tour guide" option that gives suggestions on places to poke on Google Earth.

The Los Angeles Times explains, to access the tours "...just pull up the tab at the bottom of the screen and open tour guide. Choose a place you'd like to visit and Google will "fly" you there. Bits of Wikipedia trivia will provide additional information and context about the place you are virtually visiting."

The tour guide feature is available for all iOS devices using iOS 4.2 and newer.

The 3D maps are currently only available on the go through handheld devices and have not been made for desktops quite yet.