Bing’s Streetside More Streetwise Than Street View

Posted Friday 4th December 2009 by Craig H in SEO.

Proving that Microsoft have no intention of resting on their laurels, they have unveiled their new Streetview style map tool – Streetside. Not simply a copy of Google’s admittedly impressive effort, Bing’s Streetside offers users a whole host of exciting new tools to enhance the map experience.

Bing Shows Google Where to Go

Initially Streetside will roll out over 56 metropolitan areas in the U.S., with a view to eventually going global. Like Streetview, it allows you to stroll down the street, presenting an augmented reality. The tool is powered by Silverlight and Photosynth (these need to be installed for it to work), technology that ‘stitches together’ photos seamlessly, overlaying them on a 3D framework. The whole experience really pushes the boundaries of how maps could be used in the very near future.

Bing Maps Apps

Bing has also provided an applications gallery, which will allow users to overlay various kinds of data on their map. Everything from restaurants to sculptures, from hotels to graffiti – can be overlaid. The impressive Photosynth application is causing particular excitement, as it stitches together user-generated photos to create a unique, adventurous experience. Microsoft said they will allow third parties to place their own content in the Streetside system.

There are no immediate plans to provide access via mobile devices, but Microsoft would like to bring Streetside to mobiles eventually.

Bing Marches On

For many, this is another indication of Bing’s determination to steal a lead on their rivals Google. It has to be admitted that this tool appears to put Streetview in the shade a little, offering a richer, more exciting map experience. Some of the ways that Streetside presents information may not have even seemed possible before. The tide of new Bing features and tools seems to be advancing relentlessly; Google need to be on their guard.

Related Posts

1. Bing Maps Finds Its Way To The UK
2. UK Security Concerns Caused With Google Street View
3. The Curious Case Of Google Street View
4. Microsoft Takes Photography to A New Dimension
5. Bing Announces New Search Features

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