I Always Must Start With Google

There has been a lot of speculation about the creation of a Google Virtual World. I am sorry that I have not been on top of this, but my feeling was that, while the rumors were very interesting, it does not appear that Google is creating a Virtual World at all. It does however appear that they are very focused on created mirror worlds, which enhance their Google Earth product (the outcome remains to be seen). I certainly don’t mean to diminish the importance of this. As a concept this is groundbreaking. Perhaps I have just been very busy lately and am making excused for my lack of coverage

Despite what Google is doing, I recommend all of you take a look at how Multiverse is leveraging Google Sketch Up to broaden the building capabilities and interoperability of their metaverse.

The Microsoft Metaverse?

A few weeks ago I wrote about the latest enhancements to Microsoft Live and was quite bullish on the product (with a side order of bear). I finally got around to yesterday’s press release by the software giant which offered up a glimpse of the rest of the new features in the Live 2.0 platform, and they were quite compelling.

For those of you that have been reading AMediaCirc.us regularly, you know that I am very much an advocate of the platform model as the next wave in the interactive space and it is apparent that Microsoft feels the same way.

Similar to Nokia (and of course Google), Microsoft is making a significant effort to improve upon their mapping capabilities.

Some of the attribute I found most compelling were:

• Dynamic rerouting of directions based on real time traffic reports
• Innovative visualization and 3-D.

  • 3-D coverage of over 80% of the US

  • 200 complete cities in 3D

  • Customers can now combine 3-D imagery with Live Search’s unique 45 degree birds eye images

• Ability to access 3-D user generated content via KML
• Updates to Virtual Earth
  • Multipoint trip routing
  • Enhanced Geocoding
  • Rooftop Geocoding

In additional to enhancements to mapping, directions and Virtual Earth, Microsoft has also announced new advances in mobile, signifying that they are not only focused on mirror worlds but are also investing in augmented reality technologies and ubiquitous computing.

Here are some notes on their mobile push:

• Voice activated search
  • This will include things like gas prices, hours of business operations etc.
• Live Search 411
  • Free voice activated search
• Blackberry integration

Okay, so maybe Microsoft is not creating a metaverse in the Neal Stephenson sense, but they are certainly aiming to help change the way we view and search the world.

In additional to enhancements to mapping, directions and Virtual Earth, Microsoft has also announced new advances in mobile, signifying that they are not only focused on mirror worlds but are also investing in augmented reality technologies and ubiquitous computing.

Here are some notes on their mobile push:

• Voice activated search
• • This will include things like gas prices, hours of business operations etc.
• Live Search 411
• • Free voice activated search
• Blackberry integration

Okay, so maybe Microsoft is not creating a metaverse in the Neal Stephenson sense, but they are certainly aiming to help change the way we view and search the world.

Tags: Google Earth, Google Virtual World, Mirror Worlds, Multiverse, Sketch Up, Microsoft Live, Live 2.0, Augmented Reality, A Media Circus, Nokia, 3d, Mapping, Visualization, KML, Ubiquitous COmputing, LIve Search 411, Neal Stephenson