Tuesday, October 27. 2009

MSN Direct to Shut Down at End of 2011

Microsoft noted considering shutting down the data service that powers live local data (traffic, weather, gas prices) for some GPS units (among other devices) back in May (APB coverage). Now the official word the service will shut down Dec 31, 2011.

Devices that use it will continue to work, they just won't have access to the data sent over FM signal. The system is pretty old (2004) and was part of the SPOT, or Smart Personal Objects Technology, initiative which now operates in 134 cities.

- Radio World

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Microsoft, Real-Time/Dynamic Data at 09:39 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Wednesday, October 14. 2009

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

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Microsoft, Remote Sensing, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye at 08:43 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

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

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Microsoft at 07:43 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |