Google Maps vs Live Search Maps
I’ve been using MapQuest and Expedia for years to print maps and get directions and was delighted when Google Maps added features that allowed you to annotate maps and add custom information. I was even more delighted with Microsoft’s Live Search Maps added the Bird’s eye view that appears to be photos taken from a helicopter flying overhead. For some reason, my little corner of Macon County was one of the first to be available with this new feature. I noticed last month that Illinois Wesleyan University of now fully visible online from at least four different vantage points and the imagery is stunning. Many of the residential communities around the county are also available in the Bird’s eye view so check out your house to see what it looks like flying overhead.
The quality of the photography will sometimes amaze you. Try viewing Paris, Rome, Dubai or Washington D. C.–or even EPCOT and DisneyWorld. Some locales do not have bird’s eye views but offer high quality aerial images, while others are blurred and dithered. It’s fascinating to start at a country or island view and then keep double-clicking your way down to more and more detail. You can see when the different satellites kick in and the detail changes–fascinating!
Google is still the leader in interactive maps that allow you to mashup (combine maps and other databases) with other collections–from restaurants and real estate to personal photographs or wikipedia articles.
If you want to see ground level images tryout Google Street View. Only a select few regions of the country are available currently, but I was amazed to see Dubuque, Iowa on the list already.
As always, update your operating systems and browsers to the latest versions to enjoy the fullest experience on the web. You may also be delighted to know that many of these features are available on your mobile device or web enabled phone.
Let’s us know what you think of these tools, what works best for you and any suggestions you might have for us.
Tags: aerial photography, bird's eye view, maps
June 10th, 2008 at 11:01 am
[...] Google Maps vs Live Search Maps I’ve been using MapQuest and Expedia for years to print maps and get directions and was delighted when Google Maps added features that allowed you to annotate maps and add custom information. I was even more delighted with Microsoft’s Live Search Maps added the Bird’s eye view that appears to be photos taken from a helicopter flying overhead. For some reason, my little corner of Macon County was one of the first to be available with this new feature. I noticed last month that Illinois Wesleyan [...]