WebProNews

Microsoft Corp. and Intermap Technologies have launched Microsoft's enhanced Virtual Earth 3-D viewing platform with elevation information for all of Great Britain.

Intermap is also working on similar maps for Western Europe and the U.S.

"Microsoft is committed to delivering the highest-accuracy and highest-quality product for our Live Search Maps customers, and this enhancement is another step toward meeting this commitment," said Aric Weiker, director of product management for the Virtual Earth platform at Microsoft.

 "Having Intermap's highly accurate and reliable foundation layer under our imagery and building models allows us to provide one of the most accurate viewing experiences on the Internet today."

Intermap is now working on mapping Europe under its nextmap Europe program. Data for all of Germany is currently being put into the Intermap library and data collection for the rest of Western Europe will be completed by the end of 2007.

"This is a fundamental change for the industry as Microsoft raises the bar for accuracy and realistic 3-D experiences," said Eric DesRoche, senior vice president of automotive and consumer electronics at Intermap.

"While an accurate visualization application is important to deliver to consumers, our relationship with Microsoft begins to pave the way for the delivery of additional value-added products for the business and consumer markets within Great Britain, Europe and the U.S."