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MSN Virtual Earth to Take on Google

Posted by samzenpus on from the eye-in-the-sky dept.

Jim Bruer writes "Microsoft sends news today that founder Bill Gates has announced a MSN Virtual Earth service is to debut in the summer. The service is promised to provide: *Satellite images with 45-degree-angle views of buildings and neighborhoods *Satellite images with street map overlays * Ability to add local data layers, such as showing local businesses or restaurants The service will allow users to choose from a number of different data types plus allow people to contribute their own information."

9 of 408 comments (clear)

  1. Better for spotting UFOs by deetsay · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe it will give a better view of this thing.

    --
    "The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand", or so I have read.
  2. Re:The freedom to innovate! by SnapShot · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't know. The writeup sounds cool. I'm definitely looking forward to version 3!

    --
    Waltz, nymph, for quick jigs vex Bud.
  3. Microsoft is beginng to sound by UnknowingFool · · Score: 5, Funny
    like a broken record to me. Although some of the features of their projects are interesting, it sounds as if they are always trying to trump somebody else. It reminds me of that sibling that always try to grab attention from the others.

    Mom: Look! Sue is taking her first step.
    Billy: Mom! Look at me! I'm balancing a bowling ball on my nose.

    Apple: In Tiger you will have enhanced search capabilities called Spotlight
    MS: Forget Tiger's Spotlight, Longhorn will do your homework for you.

    Google: Now you can search locations using satellite maps. Nifty, eh?
    MS: Google is so 2004. MSN Virtual Search allows you to spy on your neighbor's hot wife.

    --
    Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    1. Re:Microsoft is beginng to sound by pommiekiwifruit · · Score: 3, Funny
      More like:

      Mom: Look! Sue is taking her first step.

      Billy [crawling on stomach]: Mom! Look at me! I can fly!

  4. Re:All right! by Darkman,+Walkin+Dude · · Score: 3, Funny

    While we're at it, we can rename this service to "Vitual America", not "Virtual Earth"! Just think of all the hassle and trouble that will be saved for Americans trying to find out which state China is in!

    --
    What he can't kill, he has sex on. Trent.
  5. Re:All right! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    which state China is in

    It's clearly right next to Cuba, in the communist state.

  6. Re:Will they open up the APIs? by Aumaden · · Score: 5, Funny
    But, I guarantee that it will have all kinds of bells and whistles. (some may really like 45 deg tilt views).
    And, if you zoom in the way, when you press Control-Left Windows and use the mouse wheel to tilt, you can actually see the occupants slide out the windows and hang on for dear life!
  7. Overlays... by wowbagger · · Score: 3, Funny
    Ability to add local data layers...


    But how long until it can overlay the map with the red arrows emanating from Redmond, and play the martial marching music, and the rousing speeches about liberating the world for the Fatherland?
    --
    www.eFax.com are spammers
  8. Re:The freedom to innovate! by ggvaidya · · Score: 5, Funny

    Here's the comparison table:

    Open source calls it: alpha testing
    Microsoft calls it: 1.0
    Google calls it: shhhh ... top secret.
    Apple calls it: unsubstantiated rumors

    Open source calls it: beta testing
    Microsoft calls it: 2.0
    Google calls it: beta testing
    Apple calls it: rumors with possibly some substance to them

    Open source calls it: release candidate
    Microsoft calls it: 3.0
    Google calls it: beta testing
    Apple calls it: copies are circulated to the usual suspects, who eagerly publish reviews describing it as the "most innovating product yet!"

    Open source calls it: 1.0
    Microsoft calls it: varies. Previous names have included 3.1, 95, 98, 4.0, 5.0 or X.
    Google calls it: beta testing
    Apple calls it: released to the market place, Steve Jobs goes on record to say that it is "insanely great".

    Open source calls it: 2.0
    Microsoft calls it: SP1,2,3...
    Google calls it: beta testing
    Apple calls it: a recall

    And of course, for all of the versions above:
    Slashdot puts a writeup on the front page. A million posters call it a Slashvertisement. Somebody quotes CmdrTaco's lame-as-an-iPod comment. Atleast one thread will begin with a Goatse link and will end with a reference to either Adolf Hitler.
    Robert X. Cringley will claim with a smile that he knew this was coming.
    Paul Graham will write an article on how it could have been done better with Lisp, but oh well, good job anyways.
    Linus Torvalds will say nothing.
    Bill Gates will appear on pictures smiling evily.
    Steve Jobs will appear on pictures stoned.
    Maddox will put a writeup on his site involving the item in question and a penis.