It seems that Google and Microsoft are taking their battle to the streets. Literally.
Well, almost.
This week saw both companies unveil fresh enhancements to their maps products. Google took a page out of HopStop’s book by showing off its new Street View on Google Maps, while also announcing Mapplets. Microsoft undraped its new 3-D maps for its Live Search Maps product.
Street View for Google Maps allows users to pick any street and take a 360 degrees look around at what surrounds that spot. This brings directions and maps down to earth, giving users a more helpful and tangible look at what they should be looking for at specified points. This product will be available in Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, and San Francisco initially.
The images are courtesy of Immersive Media.
Microsoft released a similar offering called Street-Side back in February of 2006.
Google also unveiled Mapplets, which allows developers to create mini applications that can be shown on Google Maps.
Microsoft introduced its 3-D city views in its Live Search Maps, which shows off three-dimensional images similar to photography for New York and 8 other cities in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Additional cities are expected to be added to this list by the end of this summer.
This 3-D view displays important landmarks as well as business listings utilizing Yellow Pages data, contact information, and ratings.
Users of Live Search Maps can create custom maps and lists of places that they can share with others.
In a role reversal, Microsoft has actually been the trailblazer in the online maps realm while Google has been the one to follow behind with similar products. Street View and the 3-D view are quite different in nature, but both provide users with unique and fresh perspectives that will enhance user experiences.
As local search becomes increasingly important, it follows that maps will also be emphasized more. Seamless integration of comprehensive business information will be the next step for major map services to add to their products.
Sources:
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/05/29/microsoft-google-chart-new-map-views
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/29/google-maps-now-with-360-streetside-views/
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/28/microsoft-live-takes-new-york-3d/
Digg 
