Microsoft Enters Mapping Wars

Virtual Earth Seeks To Map American Cities In 3-D To Rival Google Earth

(CBS)  Websites like Google Earth have given us a bird's eye view of the world. Until now, that world was flat.

But that's about to change, CBS News correspondent Anthony Mason reports.

"The real power of this application is when you actually turn to see the angle of the buildings," Microsoft's Alex Daley says.

Daley gave CBS News an exclusive first look at "Virtual Earth 3-D," Microsoft's new mapping service that goes online Monday night. From the "Live.com" website, you'll be able to swoop down into Las Vegas, fly up the strip, and soar over the Hoover Dam.

"It really gives you a feel for the location that you could never get before," Daley says.

You can also drop in on Los Angeles.

"So the user's absorbing a ton of visual information about what a place is really like. What's near what? How is L.A. laid out," Daley explains. "Where's the Staples Center in relation to Dodger Stadium?"

It's different from Google Earth, Daley says, because "this is a singularly unique experience. Virtual Earth is really about creating a fully 3-D realistic model of the world."

Initially, 15 major American cities have been mapped in 3-D, but within five years, Microsoft plans to map around 5,000 around the world.

Microsoft is investing "hundreds of millions of dollars" in this, John Curlander with Microsoft Virtual Earth says.

From the air, mapping companies have been taking high resolution images to create a database. Now on the ground, vans equipped with multiple cameras are driving cities all over the country, firing off millions of images in every direction. Those pictures will lead to Virtual Earth's next step: a street-level 3-D map.

The idea is that from your computer at home, you'll be able to walk down a street anywhere in the world. And if you pass a store that interests you, you'll actually be able to go inside and go shopping.

"Ultimately, the goal is for this thing to become alive," Curlander says.

Google and Microsoft are fighting an air war for your eyeballs. Virtual Earth 3-D has just lifted the game to another level.

[ts601952]

The author, Anthony Mason, seems to have some confusion about what a website is. Google Earth is an application, while Google Maps is a website. Also, Google Earth does already have 3d models of several cities (even Las Vegas and LA). It will also use topographical data to show you a 3d view of most of the country.

[lily_ayanami]

I concur with ts601952.

Now, is Microsoft going to come out with something novel instead of playing catch up with everyone else?

[cdeggebrecht]

Have you been to the website? Microsoft is still playing catch up.

Your reporter Anthony Mason needs to goback to technology school, or start reporting on another subject, this piece was totally misleading, Google Earth is already in 3D I have explore the earth with it, not just cities.... Shame on you for airing such a misleading story, implying that Google is not in 3D. I think you should retract during tomorrow night in-between the elections news....
It makes it hard to take what you report as facts.....
Lucie

[sharncedar]

I'm sick of Google tho, they are overexposed at this point. Google google google blah blah blah. People talk like they are personally Google, when they are nothing, losers, zeros. Google Google google blah blah blah like it was them personally, like their in-laws or something. Competition is good, I'll try the Microsoft site at least.

Last time I checked Google already had 3-D city mapping.

"Websites like Google Earth have given us a bird's eye view of the world. Until now, that world was flat."

Google Earth is in 3-D. Ever try looking at the Grand Canyon? I believe the giant chasm you will see isn't flat. Every part of the Earth's surface is mapped in 3-D in Google Earth.

[tomflint69]

Sure, Google will end very soon. It simply cant compete Microsoft because it exists due to Microsoft's Windows. Google can never compete Microsoft. At the end of the day, if Microsoft closes the feature of browsing/sufing online(in windows environment), where would Google go? in short, Microsoft holds the key "Operating System".Unless someone beats Ms-Windows, there is no chance to defeat Microsoft in any way.

[monceau1]

I can't believe that the guy who wrote this article is a professional reporter. Like everyone else has been saying, GoogleEarth is already 3d !!! I wonder how much Microsoft paid him to write this cheap plug...

[johncosgrave]

This is a misleading article. 3-D is not new, although Microsoft's implementation of the urban landscape in 3-D, and the intention to do this for .

However, the article does not point out that the advanced features only work if you are using Internet Explorer as your browser.

[earthguy1]

Planet 9 has had fly through city models online for over a decade accessible through their Virtual Earth interface. There are over 50 of them at www.planet9.com !

[rock603]

Wow - this story has rubbed a nerve with people enamored of Google and down on Microsoft. Great job CBS!

But just a small point on the coverage given the animosity it generated. After reviewing both applications in depth (which it doesn't look like your viewers are doing), it seems that Anthony's coverage is 100% accurate. Nowhere does he or the Microsoft rep say that Virtual Earth 3D is the "only" or "first" 3D experience.

Both systems offer complete topographical maps of the entire earth. Great. They both require a download. Fine. Google requires you use their interface, while Microsoft runs in the browser and is available for developers to include in their own applications.

Everyone knows that Google (through their Keyhole acquisition, by the way, and not through their own innovation like Microsoft's investment in Virtual Earth) was the first to the party with a 3D representation of earth that you can "fly through" and explore at your heart's content.

It's too bad that this response does not include picture capability, because one look at Las Vegas (or any of the other cities that are currently available in either system) tells the whole story. Microsoft is modeling MUCH MORE realistic cities for a more immersive search and explore experience. We're entering the world of the digital globe, that can be used for more than just search (think entertainment, simulations, commerce, communications...the list goes on) and it seems that Microsoft is finally "getting it".