Bing Maps Gets Augmented with Video and Photsynth
May 13th, 2010
For years now, Google Maps has been the standard for digital mapping. However, this may all change with new augmented reality mapping from Bing. Adding live video and integration with photography from around the web, as well as many other features, the new Bing Maps may finally pose a challenge to Google Maps hegemony.
Bing Maps and Photosynth
The first big innovation is integration of Photosynth, a program which uses geolocation to link pictures from around the web to the locations where they were taken. This lets you look at a location on the map not just as it was captured by Bing Maps, but also from Flikr profiles and even historical photographs, allowing you to viewa certain place it at different times of the day, year, and even as it was many years ago.
Maps can also be linked to non-visual data, such as blog posts that refer to a specific area, giving you access to a wealth of information through the mapped location.
Video Mapping
In the TED demonstration by Bing Maps architect Blaise Agüera y Arcas, we are introduced to the new live video feature that seamlessly integrates streaming video into the map you are viewing. This is a revolutionary development, and one that moves towards truly “live” maps, as well as integration between static maps and the vast array of data that can be linked to any location.
It works by syncing up any video feed to your map view, so you can see what the person who is there is seeing in real time. Unlike Google Maps, which shows you a snapshot of a place that was taken at one time, now you can see the place as it is right now, live.
Future Implications
With the proliferation of mobile phones with video functionality, it is possible that you can access thousands or millions of these feeds from locations all around he world. As more people begin to integrate with Bing Maps, it could be possible to search for an area and rather than see a static image, see the location live and moving in real time.
Additionally, for the person “in the field,” you will be able to receive all of the data from Bing Maps on your phone, via augmented reality, and “see” the blog post, images, and other information that are connected with that location.