At WinHEC 2006, in Seattle today, Microsoft announced the the third release of Windows Live Local, the company’s online local search and mapping service. Added functionality includes real-time traffic flow and incident reporting, new social networking tools that enable users to save and share their favorite local experiences, and productivity enhancements.
Virtual Earth map control was also released today. The Virtual Earth API allows developers to embed Virtual Earth’s rich mapping capabilities into their own Web pages. More information can be found at the MapPoint Developer Center on MSDN and the group blog. Microsoft has finalized its acquisition of Vexcel (press release), which should enable a wealth of 3D and multispectral tools.
The Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), May 23-25th, includes Keynotes, Sessions, Exhibitors, Press Releases, Blogs and an image gallery.
C/Net reports a senior AMD researcher said Microsoft’s new operating system doesn’t solve the broader industry issues. Advances in Windows Vista, such as increased support for high-definition video and new DVD standards, help PC technology in its battle for consumer living rooms, said Rod Fleck, a fellow with AMD, but major obstacles remain before PC technology can make it big in the living room.
Windows Vista is the successor to Windows XP, slated to be broadly available in January. Some editions will include an update to capabilities found in today’s Windows XP Media Center Edition.
The PC industry, with players such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems, Intel and AMD, has tried to move into the living room for years, without much success. A new operating system alone won’t solve the challenges, Fleck said, apologizing if he was upsetting Microsoft with his stance.
Aside from the lack of generally accepted standards to make devices work together, the industry faces a number of hurdles, he said. These include unreliable home networking technology, software that’s too bulky and hardware that is too expensive, too noisy and generates too much heat, Fleck said.
A new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista — like the new Windows Aero user interface — may require advanced or additional hardware.
Street-Side (above) augments the Live Local service with a street level, through-the-window view of a city.
At Telematics Detroit 2006 this week, a new system that provides live traffic information for freeways, arterials and even side streets in most major U.S. cities was demonstrated. The software also predicts traffic conditions minutes, days, or even a year into the future.
Kirkland-based Inrix, collects data from more than 500,000 commercial vehicles and matches it with weather forecasts, accidents, sporting events, school schedules and other factors to track current traffic and forecast likely conditions later.
The information is available to the consumer through Web portals such as MSN Autos and through reseller agreements with Tele Atlas, which includes applications available through Cingular Wireless and TomTom, a portable navigation system. The company, was spun out from Microsoft Research in April 2005, and has raised $16.1 million in capital.
Google News, Tech Crunch and Techmeme.com have the latest.
[...] Related DailyWireless articles include Municipal Wireless Flash Applications, Microsoft’s 3D Photo Flyby, Supercomputer Cells, Microsoft Buying Vexcel, Cities as Game Grids, True Crime, WinHEC 2006, The 19 inch Earthbook, 3D Cities, On Mt. Saint Helens, EZ Photo Mapping and City Clouds: Becoming The World Cup. [...]
Left by dailywireless.org » Microsoft’s Amazing Virtual Earth on November 6th, 2006