MSN Earth Launches With MSN Virtual Earth 3D
November 7th, 2006 by pamela
Microsoft’s 3D mapping system Virtual Earth 3D went live yesterday allowing local search results to be mapped in a three dimensional way.
With only 15 major US cities offering local search mapping at present, it may be a while before UK results are offered, but Live Search expects to extend the service to other locations shortly. The detail is impressive however, and it is almost possible to look into the office windows and see me tidying my desk (don’t be silly, it’s not that good).
A competitor to Google Earth, Microsoft’s Live Search option is a step towards a three dimensional internet, giving users a visual rather than a text based experience.
Stephen Lawler, Virtual Earth’s general manager recently told vnunet.com; “Microsoft is … bringing the richness of [Windows Live] plus all this 3D stuff into the browser window.” The virtual world experience is even to be carried over into the way in which advertising is displayed, with ads displayed as part of the map environment, for example as billboards on the side of roads and buildings.
With local search becoming one of the fastest growing online activities, Microsoft is hoping to capture a significant portion of the market with it’s interactive technologies.
While the maps are a bit clunky to use in some areas at the moment, it certainly seems as if this is one service that Microsoft will be putting a lot of effort into in the future. Have a play around with it and let me know what you think.
Posted in MSN |
