Fun with Live Maps
So close that I can say "Hey, don't touch my car!"
Saturday, May 26, 2007 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
In the on-going Google vs. Microsoft war of cool map technology, I would say Microsoft at this point has the definitive advantage. While not a new feature, the "Birds Eye View" feature of Maps.Live.Com is pretty incredible (you can see the Stardock building from above in stunning close up detail). The Google equivalent is basically black and white, far less detailed and so old that it's from before the building was constructed (Google doesn't have a "Birds Eye View"). To switch Live Maps into Birds Eye View, click on the second icon on the right side of the toolbar over on the right side of the screen (the one with pictures of buildings and such on it). While Birds Eye View isn't available in rural area, it is available for large swaths of the populated area.
You can even look at it from different points of view:
(it's not just rotated, it's a different shot entirely). I can see my car!
To try it out, go to http://maps.live.com and pay around with the toolbar.
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Reply #22 Friday, June 1, 2007 9:53 PM
I think that Google gets just as much or more articles here. If it's interesting news . .that's enough for me.
In fairness. . here is the Googel equivalent:
Hmm . .looks a little . .unfinished
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Reply #21 Friday, June 1, 2007 8:24 PM
Live earth was awful when i first used it a while ago, it has certainly improved since then with some very nice hi-res images (of mostly US cities mind you) but it really doesn't have anywhere near the simple useability of google earth which has to make you wonder ? why can't the worlds biggest software company out do the worlds biggest internet ad company when it comes to useable free software?
It is slightly worrying that stardock seems to be playing the loyal software partner to microsoft on this one, anyone who has used live maps, earth & hotmail(like me) knows very well how much better google earth, maps & gmail is, it's why i use them.
I'm no fan boy i try out lots of different services so i can recommend the best to my customers and google has kicked microsofts behind on free web software for many years now.
Not to get all suspicious of your reasons Frogboy honestly (Stardock is one of my top three favourite software companys along with google and mozilla) on a powerful PC with a great GFX card live maps looks very nice but on the general useability and stability front google earth kicks ass and i think the comment "I would say Microsoft at this point has the definitive advantage." is a little over the top.