Microsoft previews geo-mapping service - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

TeamCasey · 05-24-2005, 10:15 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7957496/

Microsoft previews geo-mapping service
Users will be able to layer images, e-commerce results

The Associated Press
Updated: 11:53 p.m. ET May 23, 2005

SEATTLE - Seeking an edge on Google Inc. in localized online search, Microsoft Corp. previewed on Monday a layered, geo-mapping service featuring aerial photographs and satellite images that it promised for later this year.

MSN Virtual Earth will offer detailed local search results that include actual glimpses of the pizza joints and coffee shops rather than just the rooftop views satellite images allow, the company said.

It also will let people layer multiple searches — say grocery stores and dry cleaners — onto a single map.

(MSNBC content is distributed by MSN. MSNBC itself is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)

The free service will be available this summer, but it won't include the aerial pictures right away.

High-fidelity images captured by a fleet of small planes will be added to the service in the fall, said Stephen Lawler, general manager of Microsoft's MapPoint business.

"You can really establish that what-is-it-like-there kind of feeling," Lawler said. "This is a game-changing kind of imagery for the Internet and for this kind of search experience we're trying to create."

Earlier this year, Google added satellite imagery to its free mapping service. And A9, Amazon.com Inc.'s A9 search engine introduced a feature that includes an index containing 20 million street-level photographs of building exteriors in 10 major cities.

Under an exclusive deal with a Rochester, N.Y.-based Pictometry International Corp., MSN Virtual Earth will offer photos that look down on buildings from a 45-degree angle.

The service will start out offering images in 15 or so major U.S. cities. More will be added later. Microsoft did not release a list of which cities would be featured at first.

smallbattle · 05-25-2005, 05:12 AM

Does this mean, soon I'll be able to download a satellite picture of me scratching my butt in my backyard?

Unassisted · 05-25-2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallbattle

Does this mean, soon I'll be able to download a satellite picture of me scratching my butt in my backyard?

Only if you happen to do it while one of Microsoft's planes is flying overhead.

KronoRed · 05-25-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallbattle

Does this mean, soon I'll be able to download a satellite picture of me scratching my butt in my backyard?

Please..think of the neighbors

smallbattle · 05-26-2005, 04:06 AM

She's eighty-two years old. I think she gets a kick out of it.

05-24-2005, 10:15 AM	#1
TeamCasey Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: TeamBoone's Attic Posts: 12,317	Microsoft previews geo-mapping service http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7957496/ Microsoft previews geo-mapping service Users will be able to layer images, e-commerce results The Associated Press Updated: 11:53 p.m. ET May 23, 2005 SEATTLE - Seeking an edge on Google Inc. in localized online search, Microsoft Corp. previewed on Monday a layered, geo-mapping service featuring aerial photographs and satellite images that it promised for later this year. MSN Virtual Earth will offer detailed local search results that include actual glimpses of the pizza joints and coffee shops rather than just the rooftop views satellite images allow, the company said. It also will let people layer multiple searches — say grocery stores and dry cleaners — onto a single map. (MSNBC content is distributed by MSN. MSNBC itself is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.) The free service will be available this summer, but it won't include the aerial pictures right away. High-fidelity images captured by a fleet of small planes will be added to the service in the fall, said Stephen Lawler, general manager of Microsoft's MapPoint business. "You can really establish that what-is-it-like-there kind of feeling," Lawler said. "This is a game-changing kind of imagery for the Internet and for this kind of search experience we're trying to create." Earlier this year, Google added satellite imagery to its free mapping service. And A9, Amazon.com Inc.'s A9 search engine introduced a feature that includes an index containing 20 million street-level photographs of building exteriors in 10 major cities. Under an exclusive deal with a Rochester, N.Y.-based Pictometry International Corp., MSN Virtual Earth will offer photos that look down on buildings from a 45-degree angle. The service will start out offering images in 15 or so major U.S. cities. More will be added later. Microsoft did not release a list of which cities would be featured at first.

05-25-2005, 05:12 AM	#2
smallbattle Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Garrett, Indiana Posts: 774	Re: Microsoft previews geo-mapping service Does this mean, soon I'll be able to download a satellite picture of me scratching my butt in my backyard? __________________ Be vewy quiet. I'm hunting wabbit. - E. Fudd

05-26-2005, 04:06 AM	#5
smallbattle Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Garrett, Indiana Posts: 774	Re: Microsoft previews geo-mapping service She's eighty-two years old. I think she gets a kick out of it. __________________ Be vewy quiet. I'm hunting wabbit. - E. Fudd

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