Wow! Virtual Earth is impressive. I just went to the website, clicked on the 'Locate Me' button, told it to find me using my computer's IP address, and it did just that in less than three seconds.
Virtual Earth? From the Unlike yesterday, when news about Virtual Earth started trickling out, you can actually access the site (well, it's early morning here in Amsterdam and most of the US is still asleep) and the site itself is speedy.
I also tried out the Location Finder application which uses the wireless access points visible to your computer to determine your location (so you need wi-fi for this to work). Equally impressive, although on installing it my PC rang all the alarm bells - Norton Internet Security halted the install to request authorization to run a 'malicious script,' (yes, go ahead) and Zone Alarm wanted authorization to allow it to access the net (yes, let it).
This app looks rather neat. It sits in your system tray so you can use it at any time. I can see value in that when you're travelling as once your location is pinpointed, you can then search for businesses, etc, close to where you are. It works as well in Firefox as in Internet Explorer. And, most importantly, it appears to work fine in locations in Europe - not a typical US-centric application, therefore.
(Heh! Also a great tool if you get lost somewhere - fire up this service and you'll find out where you are. Assuming there's a wi-fi network nearby, of course. I wonder if it would work with a Google Maps. I can't say as I've tried Google Maps just the once. One difference I noted from that experience - Google Maps works only in the US. But you can read Via Virtual Earth.
On first looks, I'd say very nice work, Microsoft.
NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology. Neville is currentlly the VP of New Marketing at NevilleHobson.com
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!