Microsoft To Trump Google

johnnymk · 12-08-2005, 05:59 AM

By Antone Gonsalves, TechWeb.com

Microsoft on Thursday will release Windows Live Local, a new online service that combines local search with the company's Virtual Earth aerial image service.

The Thursday launch will be a beta version; Microsoft hasn't yet disclosed a date for a general release.

With its new service, Microsoft is attempting go a step further than Google Local, which offers similar capabilities, by providing 45-degree aerial views of to-and-from locations. This so-called "bird's-eye view" is available for only a few major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle and Las Vegas.

More cities will be added over time.

The images are provided through a partnership with Pictometry International Corp., which uses low-flying planes to snap pictures. The images are then integrated with road and satellite maps to simulate a 360-degree panorama that users can zoom in or zoom out of in four compass directions.

"It's totally game changing from anything else out there in the industry," Stephen Lawler, general manager of Windows Live Local, said.

Charlene Li, analyst for Forrester Research, said Microsoft had one-upped Google and other competitors with the bird's-eye view, which none of the rivals have. "It's a really nice system," Li said.

Google, which Microsoft has identified as its top rival in search and online advertising, has also combined road maps, driving directions and aerial views to help people find and get to locations. However, its satellite images provide only one view looking straight down at a location.

Microsoft plans to make money on the new service, which is set to launch on Thursday, by selling contextual advertising. For example, if someone searches for hotels in a particular town, they will get a Yellow Page listing, as well as a clearly marked list of sponsored links. Google uses a similar business model.

Microsoft, however, is looking to differentiate itself from its rival through what it believes are better capabilities.

Besides its bird's-eye views, Microsoft is offering step-by-step driving directions using either the angular views or straight-down satellite views, identification of construction areas along a specific route and several print options, such as the ability to only print directions or to include thumbnail pictures of each turn in the route. User also can print directions that include their personal notes.

For people using a laptop near a Wi-Fi connection, Microsoft's service can help the user position their current location as a starting point. Microsoft's algorithms for leveraging Wi-Fi locations in positioning are accurate within a few hundred feet of an actual location, the company said.

Users also can customize their maps by adding their own notes, such as which corner of an intersection to meet a friend or to add the itinerary of a set of activities. The note is displayed as a "pushpin" that shows the message when clicked. The customized maps can be shared via email, instant messages sent with MSN Messenger, a blog or Microsoft's MSN Spaces, a social-networking service.

The new service is part of Microsoft's Windows Live initiative to eventually make all of the company's software available as a Web service. A major driver behind the strategy is to take advantage of the annual double-digit rise in online advertising revenue.

Sales in the third quarter rose nearly 34 percent to $3.1 billion, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Revenues this year are expected to top $12 billion, well above last's year's record of $9.6 billion.

Local search holds strong ad revenue potential for search engines, since many web surfers look for products and services near their home or in cities they're visiting. In general, however, local search draws the most complaints from consumers, who often find that the results don't match their needs, experts say.

chadlnc · 12-08-2005, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnymk

With its new service, Microsoft is attempting go a step further than Google Local, which offers similar capabilities, by providing 45-degree aerial views of to-and-from locations. This so-called "bird's-eye view" is available for only a few major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle and Las Vegas.

Microsoft may want to check out Google Earth, it already does this.

Thesifer · 12-08-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadlnc

Microsoft may want to check out Google Earth, it already does this.

From what I have seen of Google Earth, no it doesn't. It puts in Blocks as the buildings.

attgig · 12-08-2005, 11:04 AM

oh wow.

http://local.live.com/

go there now, and go to a major city.

on the left, click bird's eye view. it's like going through google earth without the lag.

Thesifer · 12-08-2005, 11:33 AM

It's better than google earth. Since these were taken from the sky and not a Satellite. They just need to start adding more cities, and they got it.

brainsmile · 12-08-2005, 11:36 AM

you can use the wheel mouse to zoom in and out. Cool

Airencracken · 12-08-2005, 02:54 PM

I doubt google will just take this sitting down. Besides, I don't trust buggy ol' microsoft.

Jeffbx · 12-09-2005, 06:28 AM

It actaully looks really good - much better resolution than the satellite photos.

Once they have more cities up, it'll be a winner. Unless Google gets to it first!

12-08-2005, 05:59 AM	#1
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	Microsoft To Trump Google By Antone Gonsalves, TechWeb.com Microsoft on Thursday will release Windows Live Local, a new online service that combines local search with the company's Virtual Earth aerial image service. The Thursday launch will be a beta version; Microsoft hasn't yet disclosed a date for a general release. With its new service, Microsoft is attempting go a step further than Google Local, which offers similar capabilities, by providing 45-degree aerial views of to-and-from locations. This so-called "bird's-eye view" is available for only a few major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle and Las Vegas. More cities will be added over time. The images are provided through a partnership with Pictometry International Corp., which uses low-flying planes to snap pictures. The images are then integrated with road and satellite maps to simulate a 360-degree panorama that users can zoom in or zoom out of in four compass directions. "It's totally game changing from anything else out there in the industry," Stephen Lawler, general manager of Windows Live Local, said. Charlene Li, analyst for Forrester Research, said Microsoft had one-upped Google and other competitors with the bird's-eye view, which none of the rivals have. "It's a really nice system," Li said. Google, which Microsoft has identified as its top rival in search and online advertising, has also combined road maps, driving directions and aerial views to help people find and get to locations. However, its satellite images provide only one view looking straight down at a location. Microsoft plans to make money on the new service, which is set to launch on Thursday, by selling contextual advertising. For example, if someone searches for hotels in a particular town, they will get a Yellow Page listing, as well as a clearly marked list of sponsored links. Google uses a similar business model. Microsoft, however, is looking to differentiate itself from its rival through what it believes are better capabilities. Besides its bird's-eye views, Microsoft is offering step-by-step driving directions using either the angular views or straight-down satellite views, identification of construction areas along a specific route and several print options, such as the ability to only print directions or to include thumbnail pictures of each turn in the route. User also can print directions that include their personal notes. For people using a laptop near a Wi-Fi connection, Microsoft's service can help the user position their current location as a starting point. Microsoft's algorithms for leveraging Wi-Fi locations in positioning are accurate within a few hundred feet of an actual location, the company said. Users also can customize their maps by adding their own notes, such as which corner of an intersection to meet a friend or to add the itinerary of a set of activities. The note is displayed as a "pushpin" that shows the message when clicked. The customized maps can be shared via email, instant messages sent with MSN Messenger, a blog or Microsoft's MSN Spaces, a social-networking service. The new service is part of Microsoft's Windows Live initiative to eventually make all of the company's software available as a Web service. A major driver behind the strategy is to take advantage of the annual double-digit rise in online advertising revenue. Sales in the third quarter rose nearly 34 percent to $3.1 billion, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Revenues this year are expected to top $12 billion, well above last's year's record of $9.6 billion. Local search holds strong ad revenue potential for search engines, since many web surfers look for products and services near their home or in cities they're visiting. In general, however, local search draws the most complaints from consumers, who often find that the results don't match their needs, experts say. __________________ “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” (Winston Churchill)

12-08-2005, 11:04 AM	#4
attgig Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the burbs of baltimore Posts: 11,924	oh wow. http://local.live.com/ go there now, and go to a major city. on the left, click bird's eye view. it's like going through google earth without the lag. __________________

12-08-2005, 11:36 AM	#6
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	you can use the wheel mouse to zoom in and out. Cool __________________ ********************************** DCM #1 (Founder) "Nobody beats Vitus Gerulaitis 18 times in a row." - Vitus Gerulaitis on beating Jimmy Connors after 17 failed attempts.

12-08-2005, 02:54 PM	#7
Airencracken Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: California Posts: 6,681	I doubt google will just take this sitting down. Besides, I don't trust buggy ol' microsoft. __________________ "I remember my first orgasm, I just wish someone was there to share it with me..."11-05-2003 05:33 AM - Topane They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, & the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opiate of the masses. - Karl Marx Hell is other people - Jean-Paul Sartre

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12-08-2005, 11:33 AM	#5
Thesifer Vice Admiral Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,338	It's better than google earth. Since these were taken from the sky and not a Satellite. They just need to start adding more cities, and they got it.

12-09-2005, 06:28 AM	#8
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	It actaully looks really good - much better resolution than the satellite photos. Once they have more cities up, it'll be a winner. Unless Google gets to it first!

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