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Bing Announces Updated Maps
Techtree News Staff, Dec 03, 2009 1701 hrs ISTAdds an alternative to Google Maps' StreetView
After ruffling feathers of folks over at Google with its revamped search engine, Bing, Microsoft has updated its Bing Maps http://maps.bing.com service to offer new features. The new updates include additions like overlays, an alternative to Google Maps' StreetView (called Streetside) and an enhanced "Bird's Eye" feature.
Bing also gets a new applications gallery where users can customize their maps, add local information and check local businesses. While Microsoft has not tried to re-invent the wheel with Bing Maps there are some features on this one that you'd not find on Google Maps. For example, there is this "LightSpeed" feature that that blurs the passing scenery to give the user a feeling of "being there". Access Bing Maps also integrates Microsoft's Photosynth technology that helps users browse 3D images. There is also a Local Lens, a feature that looks for local blogs, crawls the posts and layers them over a selected application.
While most features compare well with Google Maps, the Streetside feature is not as comprehensive Google Streetview - also, users will be required to install Silverlight on their systems to fully use the service. Another issue, especially for India specific users, is that Bing isn't as comprehensive as Google in rural and other areas. The zoom levels on Google Maps are far better. While Bing Maps is a good alternative to Google Maps, it has some way to go before users can make a complete switch from Google Maps.
Bing also gets a new applications gallery where users can customize their maps, add local information and check local businesses. While Microsoft has not tried to re-invent the wheel with Bing Maps there are some features on this one that you'd not find on Google Maps. For example, there is this "LightSpeed" feature that that blurs the passing scenery to give the user a feeling of "being there". Access Bing Maps also integrates Microsoft's Photosynth technology that helps users browse 3D images. There is also a Local Lens, a feature that looks for local blogs, crawls the posts and layers them over a selected application.
While most features compare well with Google Maps, the Streetside feature is not as comprehensive Google Streetview - also, users will be required to install Silverlight on their systems to fully use the service. Another issue, especially for India specific users, is that Bing isn't as comprehensive as Google in rural and other areas. The zoom levels on Google Maps are far better. While Bing Maps is a good alternative to Google Maps, it has some way to go before users can make a complete switch from Google Maps.
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geetanjali
,pune city, on Dec 06, 2009 05:19 PM
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Dkb
,Deer Park, on Dec 03, 2009 07:04 PM
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