Microsoft is planning to launch a mapping service later this year to compete with Google Street View, according to The Telegraph.
The service, apparently called Geosynth, will overlay “high-definition” Photosynth pictures submitted by users to create 3D depictions of real-world locations which will then be overlaid onto Virtual Earth maps.
Photosynth works by taking a mass of different geotagged photos all in with similar coordinates and stitching them together to produce a real-life picture. Rather than drive around and take pictures like Google does to create Street View imagery, Geosynth will simply be a variant of existing technology leveraging its already large user base.
While I’m not sure if it’ll be as successful as Street View given Google’s lead in getting its mapping product to market, Geosynth will definitely be more cost-effective and could offer more global coverage at launch given its existing database of photos.
Microsoft hasn’t announced when Geosynth will launch, but it’s said to be available in a beta version later this year.
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