In the battle of the virtual mapping on the Internet, Microsoft rolls out the heavy artillery to attack Google-cons. The software publisher is to enrich its service Bing Maps in the recruitment of the Silverlight technology and location-based messages posted on Twitter. Following this update interesting fills the gap that separated it from Google Maps and Street View.
Based on technology Silverlight (competitor to Adobe Flash) developed by Microsoft, browsing Bing Maps is now more fluid. The display of aerial photographs and maps has been improved, and viewing “Bird’s Eye” (aerial side) incorporates 3D elements to deliver an even more realistic.
On Streetside, the version of Google Street View Maps Bing, the user has the ability to walk 360 degrees in the city streets. If images, modeling of buildings in 3D and smooth navigation are of quality, service is limited for the moment only to U.S. cities, unlike in Street View, which covers more countries and cities included provinces.
Another new Bing Maps now incorporates a geolocation tool messages posted on Twitter. Through an agreement with the site of micro-blogging, Microsoft offers the opportunity for users to locate the “tweets” from his friends on a map, or find the latest posts published close to home.
Bing Maps offers several integrated applications that allow for example to find a restaurant, hotel, or visit the traffic (U.S. only).
For its part, Google has also expanded its services and Google Maps Street View, making available 19 sites registered as World Heritage by UNESCO. A collaboration between the search and the famous branch for the UN education and culture can now virtually visit the ruins of Pompeii, the gardens of Versailles Palace, the historic city of Prague or the site of Stonehenge