By Andy McCue, 24 May 2006 05:00
NEWS
Microsoft has this week launched the beta version of its online location service and Virtual Earth satellite image mapping platform in the UK.
Virtual Earth, which was launched in the US last year, is a platform for a number of online location-based mapping services that use its images.
The standard aerial imagery for the UK has been licensed from Getmapping.
The beta version of the Windows Live Local (WLL) service will be part of the UK launch. It will allow users to view images using an oblique 'bird's-eye' view taken at around 3,000 feet by aeroplanes - and to tilt and look at images from different angles. Once zeroed in on a particular location, users can then search for local businesses or attractions such as restaurants or shops, thanks to integration with MSN search.
The bird's-eye imagery has been developed in conjunction with Blom Group and so far covers around 235 square miles of London. Microsoft said it expects to expand this across the UK over the next two years.
WLL is mainly a consumer offering but Peter Williams, international marketing lead for Virtual Earth, told silicon.com the Virtual Earth platform is attracting interest from business users.
He said: "We have had a lot of interest from real-estate, retail and tourism industries."
He said that in the case of the property sector, companies could use Virtual Earth to allow clients to view images of buildings not just from a top-down satellite shot but also a much more detailed "bird's-eye" view.
Microsoft is expected to name some of the first UK business adopters of Virtual Earth over the coming weeks.
Williams said Microsoft's Virtual Earth is easier to use than the rival Google Earth but said other companies are also competing for a share of the mapping and location market.
He said: "Google is by no means our only competition in this space."
Comments
There are 5 comments. Join the discussion
1. David Dewick
They've a long, long way to go to catch up on Google Earth. The aerial photos are of a much lower resolution (of where I live, anyway), and older - a lot older.
2. galley slave#41
These programs seem to need a lot of disc space for what they are and slow the computer down, even if you can get them loaded without problems,
not to mention the high cost.
guess we'll have to wait and see
3. anonymous
If it is as limited as Google Earth as regards the UK & Europe it will not be worth wasting HDD space or resources on. Google Earth is I think an over hyped USA orientated piece of software.
Although some computer magazine journalists are still chattering about it, as they do. After a quick look at some of the aerial photographs of the USA & part of London. Another Google con trick. So I do not expect the Microsoft offering to be any better or much use to users in the UK or Europe.
4. anonymous
Check out www.birdseyetourist.com which categorizes MS's cool bird's eye views.
5. anonymous
Resolution much, much better than Google Earth - have a look at RG9 1TZ.