New York, Aug 4 (IANS): Technology giant Google has released a new application specially designed for children to let them explore the Himalayas using maps, 3D imagery and gameplay, a media report said.

Called “Verne: The Himalayas”, the app introduces the character Verne, who is a friendly, 500-foot Yeti children can use to move around the map scenes.

"The new app, which the company describes as 'an experiment', takes advantage of Google Maps' 3D imagery of the Himalayas but combines it with a bit of gameplay to make the idea of zooming around the 3D scene more fun and engaging," Tech Crunch reported on Thursday.

The Yeti in the game can climb up to the top of Mount Everest, go skating on icy lakes, chase yaks, ride a jetpack, play Himalayan instruments and delivers educational information about the Himalayas via a voice over.

Given its limited focus -- only the Himalayas -- this app will likely keep kids entertained for a brief period of time.

"If Google chooses to later expand this experiment to encompass more of the world and the 3D imagery it collects, it could easily turn this concept app into something that is more like an interactive, kids' version of Google Earth," the report said.

Android users can download “Verne: The Himalayas” free from Google Play.