DigitalGlobe

Oct 8, 2008 19:01 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is gearing up to introduce additional content to Virtual Earth. A new agreement inked with DigitalGlobe has provided the Redmond giant with access to in excess of 460 million kilometers of Earth imagery for integration into its online mapping, search and location platform. In this regard, Virtual Earth now has a new source of high-resolution satellite and aerial photographies to expand its worldwide coverage. The multi-year deal will permit Microsoft to tap not only the existing collection of imagery, but also new content which is added on a daily basis.

We now have access to one of the highest resolution global satellite imagery and aerial photography collections (460 million sq. km. + 1 million sq. km. per day moving forward) through a deal we've just struck with DigitalGlobe. We'll finally be able to backfill areas around the world where people have come to my blog and complained about Virtual Earth not having good imagery or photos in their countries - Poland, Hungary, Russia, Taiwan, Mexico, to name a few - I've heard you loud and clear,” said Chris Pendleton, Virtual Earth Tech Evangelist, Microsoft Live Search.

Marc Tremblay, senior vice president and general manager of DigitalGlobe’s Commercial Business Unit, welcomed the partnership with Microsoft and the new content which would be introduced in the Virtual Earth geospatial platform. At the end of the past month, Microsoft made available a new version of Virtual Earth as well as an updated Live Search Maps service. Now, the company is back focusing on its multi-Terabytes imagery updates to VE.

DigitalGlobe’s strategic approach to collecting earth imagery allows us to provide our customers with the high-resolution content they need,” explained Erik Jorgensen, corporate vice president of Virtual Earth at Microsoft. “With its growing constellation of satellites, large network of aerial partners and a proven track record for delivering a large volume of new Earth imagery, DigitalGlobe will be a key content partner for the Virtual Earth Platform.”