A Tribute to Microsoft Innovation
25 July 2005
Microsoft went live today with their new Virtual Earth, their innovative (and by innovative I mean direct rip-off of Google Maps) approach to mapping and local search. This product is a wonderful demonstration of the speed in which Microsoft moves in the software industry, and their quick update process and attention to detail. In fact, as reported in The Register, the World Trade Center still stands in all of its glory, as seen here. Kudos Microsoft on entering the nineteen nineties, and doing it so sympathetically.
In case this photo disappears, we have included for posterity, a screenshot:
Hope Steve Rubel catches this one.
Oops! Either Microsoft needs a pop quiz in Geography or recent History or both! I’ve been alarmingly enchanted by Google Earth, of course the first thing to do is look up your own house and see if you recognize the car in the driveway. It is simultaneously addictive and soothing, much like caffeine. Good times.