Bing Maps Beta Now Available, Uses 3D

Yesterday Microsoft announced that Bing Maps has finally gone public with its latest beta. According to the company, the new Bing Maps Beta adds an "immersive" viewing mode and an "application gallery." While this may sound just as important as tasteless, boiled chicken, the scary aspect about this new build is that viewers can zoom down and stand on virtual pavement. Eat that, Google.

Microsoft said that the Bing Maps Beta uses several technologies to complete the "immersive" experience including Siverlight, a multimedia Web application, and an application called Photosynth that can stitch photos together and turn them into 3D models. With that said, it's possible to zoom down on Tuan's apartment and see his poodle in pooping action as if we're standing on the sidewalk across the street.

Is that an exaggeration? That doesn't seem to be the case. "The new features mean Bing Maps users can now zoom in, out and around; view a location from the street level or from above," Microsoft said. "Seamlessly rotate 360 degrees in one spot, view location-related content while searching an area; and even upload their own synths of a location to be integrated into a map."

Microsoft also added that Bing acquires its own images via aerial cameras and satellites. The company will continually add these high-resolution images. "This focus on the quality of imagery and consistency is more expensive and time-consuming but will inevitably mean a better experience for users," said Stefan Weitz, Bing director. As of now, every location isn't rendered in 3D, so don't expect to go standing out in your local neighborhood via Bing Maps until later on down the road.

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