Microsoft Launches Virtual Earth 3D - It's the time Google Earth!

Xtra · 07-11-2006, 09:31 AM

Microsoft on Monday took the wraps off Virtual Earth 3D, a new version of the company's mapping application that enables users to "fly" through three-dimensional models of cities from directly within their Web browser - complete with virtual billboards. The idea is that users can type a query into Windows Live Search and click on the "maps" tab to bring up results in a local context, with the ability to view two-dimensional aerial and bird's-eye imagery, or the new 3D models offered by Virtual Earth
As part of the change, Windows Live Local is being re-branded Windows Live Search Maps.

The service is poised to compete with Google Earth, a standalone application that complements the search giant's online mapping service. But Microsoft says its offering takes the concept to another level, by bringing the virtual world closer to the physical world.Instead of grey scale boxes of buildings like in Google Earth, Virtual Earth 3D uses photographs to create realistic, textured buildings. Microsoft says it developed the cameras it uses to capture the images in house, as well as creating an algorithmic program to build the textured 3D models. However, because of the level of detail Virtual Earth 3D offers, Microsoft is launching the product with support for only 15 cities. On the list are San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Dallas, Fort Worth, Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, San Jose, Phoenix, and Houston.

**Strider** · 07-11-2006, 12:34 PM

The current preview looks great. Far better than Google Earth service. But for no it's a limited preview.

ab_6421 · 07-11-2006, 02:52 PM

wow just wow... although i wont be using it any sooner since i live in the Philippines... wont help me much.. I'll probably stick with GoogleEarth...

**bakuryu** · 07-11-2006, 03:40 PM

well it's too limited, and by the time MS covers the whole World, .... I wonder how much time it would take

Download Virtual Earth from : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

07-11-2006, 09:31 AM	#1
Xtra Regular Member (100+) Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 184 Thanks: 1 Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts Rep Power: 7	Microsoft Launches Virtual Earth 3D - It's the time Google Earth! Microsoft on Monday took the wraps off Virtual Earth 3D, a new version of the company's mapping application that enables users to "fly" through three-dimensional models of cities from directly within their Web browser - complete with virtual billboards. The idea is that users can type a query into Windows Live Search and click on the "maps" tab to bring up results in a local context, with the ability to view two-dimensional aerial and bird's-eye imagery, or the new 3D models offered by Virtual Earth As part of the change, Windows Live Local is being re-branded Windows Live Search Maps. The service is poised to compete with Google Earth, a standalone application that complements the search giant's online mapping service. But Microsoft says its offering takes the concept to another level, by bringing the virtual world closer to the physical world.Instead of grey scale boxes of buildings like in Google Earth, Virtual Earth 3D uses photographs to create realistic, textured buildings. Microsoft says it developed the cameras it uses to capture the images in house, as well as creating an algorithmic program to build the textured 3D models. However, because of the level of detail Virtual Earth 3D offers, Microsoft is launching the product with support for only 15 cities. On the list are San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Dallas, Fort Worth, Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, San Jose, Phoenix, and Houston.

07-11-2006, 12:34 PM	#2
Strider Founder Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The Last City Zion! Posts: 3,491 Thanks: 282 Thanked 341 Times in 294 Posts Rep Power: 61 OS:	The current preview looks great. Far better than Google Earth service. But for no it's a limited preview. __________________ Want to ask a question? Try This! A guide on how to post a question, reply to a post etc.

07-11-2006, 02:52 PM	#3
ab_6421 Junior Member (25+) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Philippines Posts: 31 Thanks: 12 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0	Reply to Microsoft's Virtual Earth 3D wow just wow... although i wont be using it any sooner since i live in the Philippines... wont help me much.. I'll probably stick with GoogleEarth... __________________ Please Visit: Anime Shrine Thank you.

07-11-2006, 03:40 PM	#4
bakuryu ƒ(ψ)=Θº×φ Join Date: May 2006 Location: India Age: 23 Posts: 6,621 Thanks: 19 Thanked 643 Times in 602 Posts Rep Power: 87 OS:	well it's too limited, and by the time MS covers the whole World, .... I wonder how much time it would take Download Virtual Earth from : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en __________________ Please don't click here

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Microsoft Launches Virtual Earth 3D - It's the time Google Earth!

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