[WebPub] New Microsoct Bing Maps (Beta)!

[David J Conlon]

Microsoft¹s Bing just added a new beta feature for use today: Bing Maps
<http://www.bing.com/maps> .  This new feature will certainly keep the
Google Maps team busy with new competition in the market!

I¹ve played around a little bit with the maps and it¹s neat, although you
have to install Microsoft Silverlight in order to use it. One of the neat
features is how Bing Maps is building a 3-D model-type approach to the
images it uses, giving different perspectives, models, and ways to view the
map. Another great feature is the ³What¹s nearby² which allows users to see
restaurants, hotels, and points of interest.

My favorite feature, however, is how Bing uses Microsoft¹s Photosynth
technology which stitches photos together. This allows users to ³dive in² to
areas and experience them in a ³walk through² environment.

There are, of course, several of Fenway Park, so you can check one Bing
Photosynth example here:
<http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#5872/cid=083a3c9a-cc3e-4c0d-9957-6665b8bd
1659&lat=42.346556&lon=-71.097379&alt=-23.736519&z=18.330636&pid=6791/5003/0
.6793=ps::mode:Details&o=&a=0>
(Note: you have to have silverlight installed!).

As this is a beta product it will be interesting to see how Bing Maps
matures. Right now the aerial photos Microsoft is using are out-of-date and
Bing¹s Streetside images are not as comprehensive as Google Map¹s
streetview. The gauntlet, however, has been thrown so there will be exciting
enhancements to come from both Microsoft and Google in the upcoming months!

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David J. Conlon
Web and Database Consultant
Departmental Consulting & Application Development - Client Support Services
Information Services & Technology (IS&T)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Building N42-240g
Cambridge, MA 02139