Technology Geek

I’m a big fan of Microsoft, but who cares! I’m busy in exploring the world through virtual globe application like Google Earth, Bing Maps, Microsoft Worldwide Telescope whenever I’m free. I like Google Earth because it is a desktop application and its Ocean layer and touring feature are great going, recently I installed Microsoft Worldwide Telescope which is great for explore the whole universe with great data, it is in beta stage and I’m looking forward to get some good and detail images of the earth. Bing maps uses NASA’s next generation blue marble which looks better than Google earth, Google earth displays old earth imagery which are 3 to 4 years old, Bing updates it’s imagery data in a timely manner.

I’m writing this post to introduce you new Bing maps web application which is built using Silverlight and Photosynth and works great with slower internet connectivity, however it is in beta stage and you can give it a try.

Here is a screenshot of the new Bing Maps showing Earth.

In this new version of Bing Maps, You can choose type of map [Automatic, Aerial, Road and Bird’s eye]. In automatic mode we can let the map application decide type of map which shows the map in Aerial, Road and Bird’s eye if it’s available. For example if you look at the Earth from 1000 miles or Country level then it chooses Aerial type [look the screenshot above], if you go further and zoom in to region or state level then it chooses Road type, last but not the least when you further zoom in to city level or beyond then it chooses Bird’s eye view, unfortunately Bird’s eye view is currently available for major US cities.

Below is a screenshot when zoom in from blue marble to state/city level.

Below is a screenshot when zoom in to get Bird’s eye view of the Statue of Liberty.

You can also view the map with great details using Microsoft Photosynth Technology. Lets take a look at following snap of Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

There are a lot more things to explore in major US cities by streetside view, below is screenshot of a Times Square, NY streetside.

I’m looking forward to get fine details on each and every part of the world very soon. You can know more about the Bing Maps here.

Hope this works!