AWWWWYEAH. We’ve gone public! Forget all that stuff about street-side views & even possibly bird’s eye views – the truth is out: 3D modelling with photo-mapping fully integrated with Windows Live Local mapping is coming to the Internet! Check it out at http://maps.live.com.
WHAT IS IT?
Imagine viewing an Internet map. Now imagine zooming down into the area you’re interested in. Now imagine "rotating" along the X axis and actually flying through that part of the map, with all structures in full three dimensional glory.
See for yourself: http://soapbox.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=b9a2dfac-c3f5-416e-b065-3a6b06f41679
PROGRAMMABILITY IS THE DIFFERENCE
What is more interesting about this technology is that it’s a developer tool first. In other worlds, companies that take advantage of Virtual Earth will be able to add their own value to it – not just pushpins and "location favorites" and other junk that’s pretty much all been done before since Mappoint 2000.
For example, here’s a clip of someone extending Virtual Earth 3D with effects remeniscent of "Ghostbusters":
http://soapbox.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=1a6474da-1d84-479c-a95f-59e8234d745e
Companies like Zillow.com that do Real Estate evaluation will actually be able to show you with the area looks like in 3D at the street level or from the birds eye level and you can actually "walk the town" virtually using our technology.
The competitive advantage of course of Virtual Earth is 3 fold:
- All-in-one Windows Live Mapping integration. Unlike other online mapping applications that have 3D modelling, Windows Live Local’s Virtual Earth technology integrates satellite photography right over with existing maps, models the existing building, and textures them with the actual photos… all within a single application online.
- Rapid 3D Modeling Technology. The Microsoft proprietary 3D modelling software and technology in use by Virtual Earth was developed with Microsoft Research and is incredibly fast and inexpensive making it possible to map cities & towns faster than any other mapping solution on the market.
- Programmability & Search. Everyone can tap the technology in Local.Live.com to create their own mapping solutions easily from scratch. Samples are already up there and the end-user requirements to use the technology is nothing but Internet Explorer. Additionally, all the locations are fully searchable.
WHAT DOES THE PRESS SAY?
The CNet headline says it all: Virtual Earth 3D marries maps, search
http://news.com.com/2300-1032_3-6132533-1.html
Or maybe CNet’s Blog’s headline says it all: Microsoft launches Google Earth killer
http://news.com.com/2061-12572_3-6132971.html?part=rss&tag=6132971&subj=news
And then there’s the Video: Microsoft Virtual Earth preview
http://news.com.com/1606-2-6132568.html
kurtsh
Kurt Shintaku's Blog 