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As part of his stand-up act, comedian Steven Wright used to say that he had "a map of the United States, actual size." To see and peruse some of Microsoft's latest plans, that scale may no longer be a joke.
Microsoft Corp. launched a new service, Virtual Earth 3D, Nov. 6 offering users a new perspective of Microsoft's Live Search Map, a free, online local search and mapping service that provides worldwide road and aerial maps with unique, bird's-eye-view imagery for select metropolitan areas.
The new 3-D models, initially available for 15 U.S. cities, offer users realistic, hybridized images of buildings rather than gray boxes, Microsoft said, and the software giant plans to make 3-D imagery available for 100 additional cities by summer 2007.
New Technology, New Capabilities
According to those who have worked on the project, Virtual Earth 3D represents the beginning of a 3-D Web. "The information paradigm is changing," Bill Gail, director of strategic development for Microsoft's Virtual Earth business unit, said. Speaking as a consumer, "instead of my seeking the information, I want you to bring the information to me."
Microsoft believes its Virtual Earth 3D product is a quantum step beyond competitor Google Earth's 3-D technology because of the advanced imaging features made possible by combining Realsite 3-D urban city models from Harris Corp. The imagery, dubbed Harris Realsite Pictometry, is supplied by Pictometry International Corp. and used by Microsoft to depict large urban areas in the United States and international locations. Harris, Pictometry and Microsoft have established a cooperative marketing alliance to serve their core markets and customers with the new offering. Other Live Search features...