Remember Microsoft Terra Server from over 10 years ago now? It let you view black and white satellite images seamlessly. You could move around the earth and see things from space. At the time this was cutting edge, and no one else was doing this type of map imaging. At this time I believe MapQuest.com was the big online mapping company, where everyone went to to get driving directions.

Then a couple of years later came along Google and Microsoft Mapping technologies. In the early days you could overlay the map graphics over satellite images to get a better perspective of where things were and what they would look like when you arrived. Microsoft then introduced the Birds Eye view, which allows an overlay of images taken from airplanes flying overhead to give you a 45 degree view of places, instead of the top down satellite view. Shortly afterward, Google introduced Street View which allows you to feel like you are riving down a street. Microsoft soon launched their own Street View capabilities and within the last year added a Bin Map App that will overlay geo-tagged photos and even videos on top of the Street View experience. At the same time they first demoed this they also talked about backpack cams which allowed them to image outdoor locations which could not be driven through such as Seattle Fisherman’s Wharf.

Microsoft Research is still working hard on online mapping technology, introducing Street Slide. This innovation lets you view the building on a street and slide by them while facing them. It also includes a view that will show you addresses numbers and business logos of those you are looking at so you can easily locate an address or business. You can move seamlessly between Street View and Street Slide.  So if you are preparing for a trip to a location you have never seen before, Street Slide will give you a good perspective of what you will see when you get there. No more driving up and down a street looking for an address of a hard to find businesses. :-)

Not sure when this will be integrated into Bing Maps, but with the pace of online mapping innovation I’m sure it will not be too long. More at: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-street-slide-street-view-will-never-be-the-same

 

Street Slide Demo