InsideMicrosoft

Bill Gates Unveils Google Maps Killer

Jason Calacanis reports that Microsoft chairman Bill Gates just unveiled their Google Maps killer, complete with photos taken over cities at a 45-degree angle. The maps also include satellite photos, like Google’s, so Microsoft’s has two very different real-world mapping views to Google’s one. In addition, their product supports overlays, like Google Maps. More to come, so we’ll have to see if their product is actually better.

UPDATE: John Battelle has more. Called MSN Virtual Earth, Microsoft is tryign to mesh search and local/maps, like Google, although Gates notes Microsoft is simply coordinating projects which they started ten years ago. Besides local search results, you will be able to overlay weather patterns and traffic patterns over an area, as well as allow businesses and consumers to contribute their own information. There will be satellite images and 45-degree flyover images (called Eagle-Eye, pictured at right), as well as satellite/road hybrid maps, full-screen maps, and an online clipboard work area. The product should be available this summer.

UPDATE 2: Search Engine Watch has some screen shots that just made my jaw drop. This is a good-looking project, and the 45-degree view puts Google Maps to shame.

UPDATE 3: The AP has more details:

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.

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.

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.

May 23rd, 2005 Posted by Nathan Weinberg | Google, MSN, General | 7 comments