New Bing Maps Beta Could be the Google Maps Killer
New Bing Maps Beta Could be the Google Maps Killer
Posted 12/02/2009 at 5:46pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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Microsoft is giving Bing Maps a much needed refresh in an attempt to compete with Google’s dominant product. The new beta utilizes Microsoft’s own Silverlight multimedia plugin to provide smoother zooming and redraws. It also allows some very nice looking 3D building maps. It certainly does feel like a very polished experience, in contrast to Google’s more utilitarian aesthetic.
Microsoft is also working on a new Application Gallery framework for Bing Maps. These will mostly take the form of data overlays on the maps. One of the first available is a Twitter layer that shows nearby tweets. This is an interesting use of the twitter data fire hose that Bing now has access to. A similar app called Local Lens shows the locations of local blogs based on contextual clues in the posts.
Will the enhancements help make Bing more visible? While it is an interesting interface, the future is still murky in the shadow of Google. This much is certain though: Microsoft is prepared to work hard to take a piece of the search market they feel they disserve.Check out the beta here.
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BinaryMonkey
December 03, 2009 at 2:44pm
I played around with it a bit and it's actually really slick. The fact that you can rotate around things makes it very nice.
Caboose
December 03, 2009 at 3:06pm
It's almost like a web browser version of Google Earth!
Oh, and I found out that the 3D doesn't work with FireFox. At least not the beta/RC/whatever it is
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
cj100570
December 02, 2009 at 11:02pm
Since it's useless without installing silverlight to work it's a non starter for me.
CJ
"Semper Paratus"
vistageek
December 02, 2009 at 10:02pm
This is so much better than goologue maps. The detail is incredable!!
Caboose
December 02, 2009 at 9:40pm
Thats kinda neat. Looks like for the 3D to load smoothly, you'll need a pretty fast internet connection!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
bathtbgin
December 02, 2009 at 8:59pm
Bings multi-angle aerial view is much cooler/creepier than googles satellite pics. I was actually able to see my car parked outside of our my apartment.
jnutley
December 02, 2009 at 8:43pm
Where-ever they got their sat pics, Bing is obviously not as good, check Cannon AFB, NM just as an example. Google wins hands down.
Also, there's no challenge to the Google "Terrain View" on Bing. I really enjoy those maps.
The 3D stuff is not enough to win me over. Bing needs to be at least as good as Google on the other features before I'd consider switching.
JohnP
December 02, 2009 at 7:08pm
1st time I have been able to get a 360 degree view of my house. The close in maps are so much better than Google's so far as I can see. I think this even beats out street view. I wonder what the Swiss will think of this app? You can look over any damn fence you want and map your getaway at the same time!
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