New Tech News-Virtual 3D Earth-Microsoft 3D maps respond to Google Earth

With the advent of Google Earth, the world of maps on internet took an interesting turn. Now Microsoft comes out Virtual Earth, which seems to look like a sure shot killer application. It is a Virtual Earth with 3D capabilities, to be rightly called as 3d maps.Â Currently virtual earth serves 15 American Cities and lets users view in 3D, along with driving directions, traffic information and local search. The 15 citiesÂ are Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle. May be forÂ those who cannot affordÂ a travel to these cities, i think this tool is a definitely a boon. This toolÂ can also be great device for kids to understand their cities better. When the concept of a virtual life on internet is gaining ground in the form of second life, jewel of indraÂ and weblo,Â Â Probably in the coming years if virtual reality is added to these maps, i believe one need not even physically walk down or travel in a car,Â yet still the get the feel of these places. Probably can we call this virtual tourism. “Hey we coined a new term.”

One can download the Virtual Earth 3D application in their browser and view these cities. It is not that this applicationÂ needs to Â be used as a stand alone application like Google Earth. The images are captured by a aerial camera and then it is rendered and one should really take a few minutes to realize how good this application has come out. Definitely a product which Microsoft would feel happy about. Now this product gives them enormous advertising potential, because there are billboards and adspaces where any advertiser can buy the space. To just remind our readers, earlier in this year, Microsoft had taken over Massive, aÂ company that specializes in advertisement placements in games. So it is with this technology they are able to offer this service. More over, we believe GeoVector, which is working on 3D search technology, is also closely working with Microsoft. Microsoft probably has its plans clearly chalked out about its Internet Strategy. Till this point of time, news was more abuzz about its Vista products,IE7, Zune and origami. But Virtual Earth throws out lot of possibilities for Microsoft, GPS Service Providers and even Mobile users. The opportunities seems to be plenty. And competition is just getting hotter in this sphere.

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