Bing Maps - Unbelievable tech demo

[neiltc13]

Just stumbled across this video and thought I would share it here. I'm amazed with how far Microsoft has managed to come with Bing Maps and it's looking more and more like it is going to beat Google Maps. The video is seven minutes long, but well worth watching:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TOqikZTBMY

[KingYaba]

Reminds me of Sim City.

[rhett7660]

He even mentions it as a "sim city" look. I like it. Seems like they are going after anther company. I really like the look prior to the sim city look. I like the way it moves around the screen. I am hoping it works this good when it does get to the end user this would be very nice!

And holy sh#t re: the ground level!!! WOW. And the video...

Edit: After watching it again...this is freaking way cool! Makes me wonder if this is why apple might be moving to bing? Hmmmm

[*LTD*]

We're moving toward Augmented Reality. This is another implementation of it and it looks quite useful. Very nice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

[killerrobot]

Whoa!! The fluidity of the maps was crazy. The real-time augmented reality off of a 4G connection was awesome. I can't believe how far they've taken this. I'm blown away.

[niuniu]

I'm watching this half drunk, just past the 5min mark.. absoultely brilliant! No doubt equally great when you're sober :o

Edit: who are these guys btw, Microsoft's team, or some third party?

[killerrobot]

I'm watching this half drunk, just past the 5min mark.. absoultely brilliant! No doubt equally great when you're sober :o

Edit: who are these guys btw, Microsoft's team, or some third party?

They're part of MS Live Labs.

[bossxii]

Wow, that blows away google streetview imo. The speed and fluid movements in and out of area's is amazing. Love it!

[MacsRgr8]

Very cool indeed!

I like the fact that Google is getting serious competition too.

[Abstract]

Just amazing.

[rdowns]

Very nice. I'd love to see Apple use this in iPhone/iPad.

Google Maps is dead [/*LTD*] :D

[localoid]

In the future we'll have "Augmented Reality" 3D glasses we can wear while shopping at WalMart that will turn those old, overweight shoppers in line in front of you into petite college coeds wearing cheerleadering outfits. Soon after becoming hugely popular, said glasses will be banned within the U.S. due to protest by "concerned Americans".

[clevin]

its all in silverlight. really nice.

bye, google map, another google stuff can go off my list.

[*LTD*]

its all in silverlight. really nice.

bye, google map, another google stuff can go off my list.

I'm not shedding a tear for Google, either. Then again, I'm not that particular when it comes to map services. I do, in fact, like Bing for its bird's-eye view feature, which is a very nice touch.

[ArrowSmith]

I'm not shedding a tear for Google, either. Then again, I'm not that particular when it comes to map services. I do, in fact, like Bing for its bird's-eye view feature, which is a very nice touch.

ZOMG, LTD said a nice thing about Microsoft!

[irmongoose]

Very impressive, very cool.
I'm glad to see something good coming out of Microsoft.


irmongoose

[mstrze]

I'm not shedding a tear for Google, either. Then again, I'm not that particular when it comes to map services. I do, in fact, like Bing for its bird's-eye view feature, which is a very nice touch.

Google maps has added a 'bird's-eye' type feature. VERY limited though...only around the south and east San Francisco Bay Area. BUT the application of this technology is light years ahead of MS...you never see an edge of the aerial imagery like you do in Bing...just fluid panning across the entire landscape. And in this same respect, you can zoom-out in this mode to a far greater distance...I'd estimate a 15-20 mile wide zoom-out is available.

Click on the 'new' icon at the top right of the Google Maps page and click to enable "aerial imagery". There are also several other new items to try out too like a click and drag to zoom feature.

That being said...this demo was quite cool, but how many had second thoughts about the 'live' streaming video? It was just too perfect to be on the fly like that in my opinion. It just looked too exact. I mean, can GPS and a built-in compass in a phone provide such a specific location to what would have to be within inches...to make such a seamless view? I smell some fudging on the Live Team's part. :(

EDIT: Just noticed that Sacramento, Portland, OR and San Diego are also covered by Google Aerial. :)

[kdarling]

A lot of people equate Microsoft with just operating systems, and perhaps some office apps.

Some also know MS has apps in cars (Ford Sync) and code in many standalone industrial and consumer devices, plus of course phones, players and game boxes.

Then there is all the R&D that most never see (alas). Stuff like Surface which did get commercialized, and other things like Courier which haven't yet.

MS does a lot of research, and some of it is available for viewing (unlike other more secretive companies). You can go here to Microsoft Research (http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/), choose the Our Research tab and read many documents online... plus download some interesting test software.

[ravenvii]

Strange, I thought I read somewhere that Microsoft is axing their Bing maps stuff. Must be something else... :confused:

[chewietobbacca]

It's about time Google got some competition in what's basically a monopoly for them, and this looks more than worthy! :eek:

[neiltc13]

A lot of people equate Microsoft with just operating systems, and perhaps some office apps.

Some also know MS has apps in cars (Ford Sync) and code in many standalone industrial and consumer devices, plus of course phones, players and game boxes.

Don't forget Blue & Me, which Microsoft developed for Fiat and which is available on their Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars.

[gregorsamsa]

Yeah credit where it's due, Bing maps are quite something. FWIW, I'm also using Bing's search engine at least as much as Google these days.

[rhett7660]

Yeah credit where it's due, Bing maps are quite something. FWIW, I'm also using Bing's search engine at least as much as Google these days.

I can still say I am using google more then bing. A lot more. Haven't really caught on with bing yet.

However after watching this several times, this is pretty amazing stuff they are doing. I hope to see it come to light for the masses soon!

[Schtumple]

As much as everyone bashes them, Microsoft does have some very very talented employees under their belt, this is a great evolution of current tech and I honestly hope this gets integrated into the iPhone in the Bing rumours are true.

[MisterMe]

As much as everyone bashes them, Microsoft does have some very very talented employees under their belt, this is a great evolution of current tech and I honestly hope this gets integrated into the iPhone in the Bing rumours are true.We do not bash Microsoft's employees. We bash its products. If Microsoft produced good products, then we would not even bash Steve Ballmer. We would consider his antics to be charming. Because Microsoft products suck, we call him "Monkey Boy."

[gregorsamsa]

I can still say I am using google more then bing. A lot more. Haven't really caught on with bing yet.
My hand has been rather forced to use Bing more so lately thanks to an increasing tendency for Google to redirect my searches to commercial sites I have no wish to visit. :confused: This hasn't happened with Bing... at least not yet.

[Melrose]

^ I prefer Bing in blind tests, so it's my default search engine all the way around. The only thing I use Google for it Voice and Analytics, which are excellent.

Very impressive, very cool.
I'm glad to see something good coming out of Microsoft.

I agree - y'all know how I feel about Windows, but I do like to see them producing something that is their own; Being creative with a service that's kind of sat stagnant for a while. It's what they should be doing.

That's amazing what they're pushing for maps.

[Schtumple]

We do not bash Microsoft's employees. We bash its products. If Microsoft produced good products, then we would not even bash Steve Ballmer. We would consider his antics to be charming. Because Microsoft products suck, we call him "Monkey Boy."

Ok well if you want to get picky, I was referring to the fanboys who would literally say this is unoriginal and bash it as much as possible, just because it's Microsoft.

[*LTD*]

Ok well if you want to get picky, I was referring to the fanboys who would literally say this is unoriginal and bash it as much as possible, just because it's Microsoft.

Well that's MS for ya.

When you roll out so much utter crap year after year, even the good stuff is suspect.

[talkingfuture]

Looks cool. You can't deny that MS are putting some real effort into taking on Google with Bing.

[pooky]

Pretty freaking cool. The best thing is this may set up a sort of arms race between MS and google, with each trying to one-up the other. It'll be nice to see companies trying to outcompete each other by making better stuff, rather than the underhanded stuff that happens in so many industries (c.f. the big telcos).