MSN Virtual Earth Gives a New Way to Search

HostReview.com
Monday, July 25, 2005; 09:47 AM

Microsoft Corp. today announced beta availability of MSN® Virtual Earth™, a new Web service that further builds on the company’s investment in the search category by harnessing the company’s extensive search and mapping capabilities to give people an immersive way to utilize location-based information online.

The service enables users to search, discover, explore, plan and share information and activities relevant to specific U.S. locations by combining aerial imagery, detailed maps and precise local search capabilities. Users can access the beta version of the service at http://virtualearth.msn.com.

“When you’re in an unfamiliar city and need to find a nearby Chinese restaurant or ATM within walking distance of your hotel, a traditional Internet search experience won’t give you the visual location-specific information you need,” said Stephen Lawler, general manager of the MapPoint® business unit and MSN Virtual Earth at Microsoft.

The new Microsoft® Location Finder is a separate client-side application based on technology developed by Microsoft Research. It operates seamlessly with MSN Virtual Earth and turns a regular Wi-Fi-enabled laptop, tablet or PC into a location-determining device without the addition of any separate hardware.

Microsoft is also providing free access to the MSN Virtual Earth map control, in the form of an easy-to-use JavaScript control, for technology developers and others who want to incorporate noncommercial uses of MSN Virtual Earth into their own applications and Web sites.

MSN Virtual Earth is integrated with the local features of MSN Search, MapPoint technologies and aerial imagery from TerraServer-USA to provide users with expansive search results. MSN Virtual Earth currently provides detailed street-level maps and point-of-interest information for the United States.

MSN attracts more than 400 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 41 markets and 20 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide.