I’m a Google fan boy. I always have been and even though I’m still devoted to my iPhone, I think most of what Google churns out is golden. By this, of course, I mean all the things they’re doing other than search. When Google Maps first launched, I loved it. It was far better than any other mapping site. Years later, with updates from Microsoft, Yahoo, and Map Quest to their map sites, I still preferred Google. That may change, and soon.
Today, I learned about Microsoft’s new technology for street-level mapping called Street Slide.
With Google Maps and other street level mapping sites, you zoom in to street level, and then you can zoom in more (while losing picture quality), or move forward or back to the next “bubble” panorama if you want to look further down the street. Street Slide is much more fluid, allowing you to slide the street back and forth to view more store fronts, etc. a lot faster. Because it leaves some space above and below the street images, they added in building numbers, street names, navigational controls and links and information about places of interest. I can’t explain it as well as the video, so take a look:
I still love Google Maps, but I think I’ll be stepping out on that relationship for my street view needs and will definitely have the iPhone version as soon as it’s available. Good job, Microsoft. Now it’s Google’s turn to catch up.
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