Kurt Shintaku's Blog

(Sigh.  I’m so late on this one.  Most of you already know about this by now.)

Every Christmas, NORAD tracks Santa’s flight around the world and this year, the flight was published online in real time using Windows Live’s Virtual Earth technologies.

NORAD’s Tracking of Santa Claus:
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/map/index.php

For those of you who haven’t seen Virtual Earth, it’s an online mapping technology that provides a wealth of capabilities for both consumers as well as businesses:

1. 2D Maps
   Virtual Earth provides traditional 2D maps that are updated to show construction & map changes. 
2. 3D Maps
   In addition, people in metropolitan areas can view landscapes & maps in 3D, being able to sail through areas where buildings exist and see actual photo-accurate imagery on the buildings.
3. Satellite Topography
   People can zoom in on specific houses and streets through satellite mapping technology that overlays the US as well as International countries where it is available.
4. Bird’s Eye/45 degree Views
   Users can not only see streets & buildings directly overhead, they can see them AT AN ANGLE giving the user the ability to truly see the sides of buildings with photography that is taken from low flying airplanes.  Great for finding directions, examining neighborhoods & real estate, etc.
5. Traffic Maps
   Real time traffic available directly on the maps you’re viewing.
6. Regional Directory Listings
   Easily find restaurants, entertainment, stores, and other local activities, the have Windows Live Local call your phone and put you in touch with that store or restaurant, all without dialing a single number!
7. Programmability
   Virtual Earth can be used in both internal applications (client side as well as web-based) as well as external web solutions.  The famous Zillow.com uses Virtual Earth to show people bird’s eye view shots of people’s properties online.
8. Mobility
   Virtual Earth can be made available on cellular phones & smartphones.  A free installable program can be downloaded from http://wls.live.com that will run on both wirelessly connected Pocket PC’s, Pocket PC Phones, Smartphones, and Java-based Cell phones.  It provides maps, step-by-step directions, directory listings, address finding, phone number look up, satelite photography, real time traffic data, and most of the other great features of Virtual Earth, all from the convenience of your cell phone or PDA.

Check out:
http://maps.live.com