As a direct challenge to Google Earth, Microsoft has introduced their own product, Microsoft Virtual Earth. The first thing you will find is that there is a somewhat cumbersome install to go through. As you go through that, the second thing you learn is that it only works with IE. The final thing you will notice once the install is complete is that the 3D renderings are photorealistc. It looks pretty good. Navigation is straightforward, you can zoom, rotate and move in any direction. It was a touch sluggish at times, but that is more likely my network connection than the software design.
The interface allows you to look at traffic, get directions and supports the use of push pins. The one very odd feature is that they are allowing people to purchase billboards that will appear over buildings for advertising purposes. I saw one in Boston, it seems odd to have photorealistic 3D buildings but fake billboards – but that’s Microsoft for you.
I found it a little odd that when I clicked on the Location Finder button I found that you needed to have another program installed. Having to keep installing programs gets old. In any case, check it out. There are only 15 cities supported now, but there are 100 planned by next summer.
