Google Earth Lifespan Short?

Duncan Riley at TechCrunch suggests that Google moving much of the functionality from Earth to Maps (note: terrian and multiple people editing the same map most recently) means Earth’s days are numbered:

As Google Maps takes on more and more of the functionality of Google Earth the appeal of Earth must diminish. It also makes sense that Google would rather grow and sustain a web product over a software download. Google Earth will still be with us for some time to come, but how long is now up to Google, and I’m betting that Google is already looking at ending support sometime in the next year or two as Google Maps becomes everything Google Earth now is, but online and without the download.

I personally find GE overkill for my very 2D needs, but it sure feels like the rest of the world operates in 3D.