MapForums

February 2007

In the News

HD revs up with VE technology
On February 23, Harley Davidson rolled out their “Great Roads Explorer” application that leverages the Virtual Earth platform to highlight some of the best biking roads across the US. These routes include rider’s ratings and opinions of the routes, sample itineraries of what’s to see, photos and a lot of local information all that makes the route more enjoyable. You can experience this interactive mapping application at
Harley Davidson | Experience
Blog posting on this partnership can be found here: Virtual Earth / Live Maps

Legal Marketing Services launches ‘Home Navigator’ using the VE platform
On February 27, UK-based Legal Marketing Services launched its ‘Home Navigator’ solution for the real-estate market, built on the Virtual Earth platform. The solution combines advanced property search with aerial and satellite imagery, so that home buyers can view a prospective property and surrounding area, as part of an immersive, online search experience. Home buyers can also overlay relevant data such as catchment areas for schools and proximity of local supermarkets.

RealtyTrac Integrates VE Technology Into Online Foreclosure Marketplace
On February 28, RealtyTrac, one of the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, announced their use of the Virtual Earth platform to power their online mapping capabilities, offering RealtyTrac users for the first time, the capability of viewing foreclosure properties from a bird’s-eye and satellite view.
Check out the press release at: RealtyTrac Inc. :: RealtyTrac Integrates Microsoft Virtual Earth Technology Into Online Foreclosure Marketplace

Weather Channel maps out storms using VE
On February 28, Weather Channel.com released a new interactive weather map utilizing the Virtual Earth platform. The new tool, available with one click from all city pages on weather.com, allows the people to easily pan and zoom to get unmatched detail of current radar and satellite imagery and offers the option of viewing road or photographic aerial maps. This new feature, coupled with the high-resolution Virtual Earth imagery, gives people the ability to see where significant weather is -and isn't- occurring in their immediate area. For more information check out the site at: National and Local Weather Forecast, Radar, Map and Report
Site to offer truly local weather maps - Gadgets - MSNBC.com

Recent Updates

Intermap Technologies will deliver 3D data for Virtual Earth platform
On February 20, Microsoft teamed up with Intermap Technologies to integrate NEXTMap Britain digital elevation data the Virtual Earth platform. With this partnership, Microsoft will be able to create and deliver Live Search Maps with the most current and accurate digital terrain model of Great Britain. For more information about this partnership, check out the press release at: Intermap Technologies: Press Releases

Live Search Maps Updates
In addition to continually enhancing the value of the VE platform for partners and their customers, Microsoft is also investing in its consumer mapping and local search service Live Search Maps, which is powered by the VE platform. Recent updates in February include a new Live Search Maps on Vista gadget and Live Search Maps for mobile. The new gadget/sidebar download for the Vista operating system allows people to view real-time traffic conditions in the area on the Live Search Maps on Vista gadget. Shortcuts to driving directions, local search and full-screen traffic views are all available within the gadget. At this time, the Live Search Maps sidebar is available in 24 major metros markets in the US and can be downloaded at: Windows Live Gallery.

Microsoft also announced this month the availability of Live Search for mobile. With this new platform, customers can receive real-time traffic data in more than 25 U.S. cities, global positioning capabilities built right into the mapping experience, detailed directions capabilities and immersive aerial imagery all available for Windows Mobile and Java-based smart phone customers. People can download the Live Search Maps for Windows Mobile by going to Live Search Mobile. Check out the official press release at: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...eMobilePR.mspx

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