Microsoft has just released their competitor to, the already popular, Google Earth. CNet’s Rafe Needleman managed to get a live preview a few days ago and here’s what he says about it:
Microsoft is doing with its Earth program what I’ve wanted from Google for a while: creating one integrated mapping and globe-exploring service, not two products with different interfaces. With Virtual Earth, you get all of Microsoft’s Live Local features (traffic data, e-mail integration, bookmarks) with the additional capability to zoom around the 3D planet and see your locations from any angle.
Could this be the first time that Microsoft has actually releases a program that surpasses Google’s, in terms of functionality? Oh, what is the world coming to?
Next thing we hear might be that their Zune player has started to become popular, sheesh…
I’ve been playing around with Google Earth but the application by Microsoft is ahead of its time. The integration of multiple tools, which is something we haven’t seen from Google is what makes Microsoft stand out and this product.