Google Maps vs. Virtual Earth

Whilst reading today's Ars Technica article on censorship of security-sensitive areas in Google Maps and Microsoft Virtual Earth, I rediscovered something I had vaguely noticed on the day of Virtual Earth's launch, but had not investigated due to the sluggishness of the Virtual Earth servers (the speed issues have since been addressed). You can see what I mean in these side-by-side pictures of Washington DC's Capitol Hill Reflecting Pool - both images are at maximum magnification:


(Google Maps is on the left, Virtual Earth on the right. Click to enlarge.)

As you can clearly see, maximum magnification on Virtual Earth is significantly 'closer' to the ground. Even though the two images are clearly from the same satellite photo (note the positions and colours of the cars on 3rd Street, just to the west of the pool) the Virtual Earth image is of considerably better quality. Now all we need is for Virtual Earth to expand outside the US, but apparently that won't be long now.

Related entries

Google Maps for your phone - 7 November 2005
Jesus found on Google Maps - 19 October 2005
Giant iPod found on Google Maps - 28 March 2006
Google Maps UK updated! - 23 June 2005
Googlemaps - 8 February 2005
Safari Googlemaps - 26 February 2005
MGS Virtual Pool 2 reviewed - 8 January 2005
Yet more Virtual PC news - 15 January 2006
Don't chuck out Virtual PC yet, the MacBook doesn't do Windows - 12 January 2006

Trackback Pings

Comments

There have been no comments posted to this entry.

Subscribe to comments

Enter your email address in the box below to receive an email notification whenever a new comment is posted to this entry.

Email address:

Post a comment

Name:


Email Address:


URL:

Remember personal info?
YesNo

Click a smiley!



Comments:



Please enter this security number in the space below (this prevents automated responses).