Virtual Earth and its benefits
Virtual earth (2005) now known as ‘Bing Maps for Enterprise’ is a geospatial Mapping platform. Virtual Earth is geo satellite software developed by Microsoft. The Virtual earth platform consist of three services, like Virtual earth map control, Virtual earth web services along with Map Point web services
The Virtual Earth Map Control includes impressive imagery and enables rich mapping and enterprise-class application development, with an intuitive JavaScript programming model. Virtual Earth Web Services offers static map images, direct map tile access, one-box search functionality, geocoding, reverse geocoding, and routing.
The MapPoint Web Service is a programmable Web service hosted by Microsoft and used by enterprises and independent software developers to integrate location-based services into software applications and business processes.
Microsoft Virtual Earth provides the following features & functionality:-
Photosynth: -Transform digital photos into a panoramic experience that displays the big picture, as well as its details. This helps the users to find out particular place which may not be distinctively shown and thus learn more about it.
Maps for Mobile Devices: -Develop mobile applications with imagery optimized for mobile devices (including the iPhone). The new features are supported in the new Virtual Earth Web Services.
Expanded Number of Rooftop Views: - Virtual Earth now offers 85 million unique addresses—more than 70% of all rooftops in the U.S.
Localized Maps and Directions: - Get localized driving or walking directions in 15 languages, and localized maps in Western Europe in English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Italian. Variety in the number of languages increases its appeal globe wide. Local language causes more people using the product.
Weather Integration: - With 3D view, get near real-time weather and cloud formation data. Accurate details about the possible climatic changes can be made, helping in taking necessary steps in case of dangers.
3D Imagery: -Create more realistic 3D views of buildings and landscapes. A clear picture about the physical world can be obtained. Commercial and residential areas can be easily distinguished.
Traffic Reports: -This feature helps in locating areas where there are traffic jams& thus enabling to avoid them. A color-coding scheme is used to point out those particular areas.
Bird's Eye Views and Bird's Eye Hybrid: -Exclusive to Microsoft, these unique views of real-world locations provide insight into “what it's like there.”
Geocoding and Reverse Geocoding: -Get the most accurate locations through integration of multiple geocoders and to provide the most relevant and accurate results.
International Geocoding: -Customers can find international addresses with more precision.
Extended International Parsing: -Users will experience better match rates for addresses in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Near matching: -Customers can find locations using alternate and similar spellings.
Virtual Earth Web Services: -Developers can take advantage of the Virtual Earth Web Services API, which offers static map images, direct map tile access, one-box search functionality, geocoding, reverse geocoding, and routing.
Pushpin Clustering: -Provide customers the ability to zoom in to visualize a cluster of points.
Landmark-Based Routing: - Provide customers in the particular countries with directions using such familiar landmarks as gas stations and fast-food restaurants.
These are some of the best features. Use them to observe their magnificence.
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