Microsoft has announced the launch of new functionality for Microsoft Live Search Maps; three-dimensional, photo-realistic maps covering New York City and 8 other locations in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
The 3D service provides a unique look at each city, that combined with Microsoft’s location and business data delivers a service that would have once upon a time have been considered science fiction fantasy.
The launch keeps Microsoft one step ahead of Google in 3D mapping. Google acquired 3D technology from a Stanford University team May 18 that will provide similar functionality for Google. 3D modeling at Google Maps does not currently include photo realism.
The 3-D imagery of New York City debuts with Austin, Cape Coral (Florida), Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Northampton (UK), Ottawa, Savannah and Tampa. More cities worldwide will be added to the service during the northern summer.
First impressions: extremely slow if you’re not on a very high speed connection at the highest setting, but the computer generated effects are amazing.
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wow thats pretty cool
runs great!
although i have 512 on the video and 3GB RAM
Impressive!
That’s the issue I’m having with it, the rendering is slow on the poor old laptop. Then again, while cool, it’s very rare that I actually need a scale model of New York rendered in 3D.
The fact that they got this out before Google, considering how long Google has had the ability to do this is a real shot in the arm.
Dare I say it, way to go Microsoft.
What’s Yahoo’s tortoise response to this?
Very cool MSFT. Can’t believe I’m actually saying that…
For the record my rig is an AMD 64bit 3400+ with 2gb of RAM on a 2mb Cable connection (fastest I can get). Slow as a wet weekend but I noted that context in the post because if you’re on ADSL 2+ or similar fast broadband I’d expect this to be a lot faster. Imagine this in Flight Simulator!
And David, I’m with you!
But is 3D necessarily better?
In a city like NewYork with a lot of high buildings, I doubt that 3D maps are going to increase productivity. Yes, it looks cool. But, finding places is probably a lot harder in 3D view as the tall structures obstruct your view this hiding many spots. And also it looks more cluttered.
It is pretty slow for me. It shud be, as i have very low configs
This reminds me when Google Maps added the aerial view (what was that, like 3 years ago?). I thought it was cool looking and messed around with it for a good couple of hours, looking at all of the places I’ve lived and visited. Since that day, I very rarely go into the aerial view mode because it’s not providing me any real value beyond its novelty. I think I feel the same way about this. I just spent a couple hours zooming around New York and San Francisco because it looked neat. But I don’t know what’s beyond the whoa.
Thats awsome - I wonder how long it will take Google to do the same for my town in wales
Why the hell have they picked Northampton?
I was about to log on and say exactly the same thing — Northampton’s hardly Manhattan. I’d have liked to have seen Manchester, but I’m biased.
Yeah ran well on my / 1 gig ram / 64 meg video card / old as hell laptop
- Looks like they are ahead / on this - but how much will it matter / I would still rather be Google than Microsoft
Didn’t work on my 1GB RAM Laptop. Bah. Just fuzzy 3D-images over NYC and Austin.
Booyah, yet again Microsoft beats Google to the punch…each that Google.
Worked fine for me, but although 3d building business is neat I can’t say it is actually helpful in any way at all. I still prefer GoogleEarth… it just feels better somehow.
This blew my mind.
And that’s something really special when it comes to MS applications.
wow, this is also totally cool. it just keeps getting better.
MC always rocks, I have seen this application. its really cool.
http://www.suggestusability.com
This is not new. MSFT First launched 3-D maps last fall for San Francisco and a handful of other cities. Then 14 additional cities launched a couple months ago. Today’s announcement is only that NYC and a few others join the list.
http://blog.kelseygroup.com/in.....francisco/
Honestly, aren’t we making this a little to available to the rest of the world if you know what mean? I mean, what purpose does this serve for the everyday user?
Its great. Will be a drastic change in IT.
Lovly and amazing…
it is very difficult to maintain as well and to incorporate new development.
All the best to Microsoft Team…
SOS PLEASE SOME ONE HELP ME ITS NOT NOT HEALHTY YHE WAY U MAKING ME FEEL
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