Nat Geo Box Set Uses Bing Maps

Coming November first is a compilation of the yellow bordered mags published since 1888. The 6 DVD set includes:

-Intuitive and user-friendly navigation that permits users to search by keyword, date, contributor and topic, and to browse all articles, illustrations, photographs and advertisements; a new Geobrowse function powered by Bing Maps that allows users with Internet access to search nearly 5,000 locations on a globe that are featured in the magazine’s archive of articles and maps.

I’m not sure exactly what that means - I guess it just locates the place? Or is there more Nat Geo content available through Bing?

Price: $70 on DVDs, $200 on a hard drive

- press release

Whose Logos were on WorldView-2 Rocket?

Bing’s (Microsoft) and Nokia’s. Google (corrected 10/15, originally said Microsoft) has an exclusive on the GeoEye-1 imagery, but will “share” the WorldView-2 data with Google.

- C|net

Feds Look to Build their Own Sats Even as they Tap Commercial Sat Vendors

A conference agreement between the House and Senate for the fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill includes a provision directing the Defense Department to develop two commercial-grade satellites, one with a 1.1-meter aperture and a second with a more powerful 1.5-meter aperture. It’s expected to pass both houses next week.

During the same period, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) put out a classified request to commercial players to determine how they could meet U.S. government needs.

- GovExec

Update: US Government Calls for Comments on Turning off LORAN-C

Update:  Inside GNSS reports that LORAN-C is but two (likely) signatures from being shutdown in January 4, 2010. Further e-Loran, a proposed backup for GPS is unlikely to be funded at this time.

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Microsoft Tests “Videomap” as Journey Prep Tool

Videomap, software under development by Microsoft and researchers from the University of Konstanz in Germany, gives maps and written directions but it also previews a route - complete with landmarks. It creates video using 360-degree panoramic images of the street that are strung together.

It even slows down to encourage viewers to fully grasp key intersections and turns. For now the system requires developers to select the key landmarks users will see. Users of Videomap recalled 80% of turns; those studying the map recalled just 60%. While some suggest the technology will be supplanted by GPS devices, others think it could be of value to pedestrians and cyclists. Frankly, any time I can “preview” a drive, I’ll do it.

I regularly, for example, drive to the site of a big race the day before just to be sure I’ll get there. There’s no reason to panic at 5 am when you can’t find the correct turn (and it’s dark and foggy….)

- Tech Review