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| Microsoft Enhances Virtual Earth Product in Great Britain with High-Resolution 3-D Height Data from Intermap Technologies Microsoft and Intermap Technologies have announced the launch of Microsoft's enhanced Virtual Earth 3-D viewing platform based on Intermap Technologies' highly accurate and up-to-date elevation data for all of Great Britain. Intermap is also creating similar maps for all of Western Europe and the continental United States. The resulting product delivers a more seamless and accurate 3-D experience for all Internet users visiting Microsoft's Live Search Maps for England, Scotland and Wales. Intermap's precise and uniform 3-D digital terrain model serves as the foundation for the placement and alignment of aerial photography and other geospatial images. These images are then layered upon this 3-D foundation to better align and place objects without distortion or undulation. Live Search Maps is Microsoft's online local search and mapping service that combines unique bird's-eye imagery with advanced driving directions, Yellow Pages and other local search tools. Powered by the company's Virtual Earth mapping and location platform, these features give users useful new ways to map and find directions to various locations, and to better visualize their surroundings from multiple aerial vantage points. As part of Intermap's worldwide proactive data collection efforts, Great Britain is currently in the company's data library. In addition, Intermap is now aggressively mapping Europe under its NEXTMap Europe program. Data for the entire country of Germany is currently being placed in the Intermap library, and data collection for the remainder of Western Europe is scheduled for completion by the end of 2007. The continental U.S. is being mapped concurrently with the European initiative and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Computing News :: home page |