14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has outdid itself with the latest update introduced to Virtual Earth. The Redmond company is committed to continually evolve the rival to Google Earth, and in July it has grown Virtual Earth by no less than 26 terabytes of imagery. At the end of March, Virtual Earth exploded with a 3.8 terabytes update, but the volume of the new content is a new record for Microsoft. The additional imagery on Virtual Earth includes locations in Canada, Europe and the United States.
"The July update to Virtual Earth is complete. Tip of the hat to our data pipeline team for getting our largest update ever out on time. Over the past 6 months they have done a lot of great work to smooth our data pipeline and the benefits are obvious - they can get textured 3D buildings, aerial and Birds Eye imagery online faster and with massive volume. This months publish is 26 terabytes. With it comes a new rendered map style that we've been calling 'hill shaded' which gives our road style maps the ability to convey elevation," Microsoft revealed.
Microsoft's Virtual Earth platform is designed to seamlessly blend bird's eye, aerial, and 3D imagery with mapping, location and search capabilities. The collection of services and tools are then offered to users enabling them to access a virtualized version of the real world, while transitioning their presence online.
Here are all the new cities and regions that you will be able to access via Virtual Earth: "Canada: Hamilton, Quebec, Toronto (Montreal is on the way in our next release); Europe: Toulouse France, Eastbourne UK; United States: Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, Phoenix (expanded), Arden, Denver (expanded), Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Fort Myers, Tampa West, St Petersburg, Coral Gables, Cape Coral West, Pembroke Pines, Orlando, Hialea, Columbus GA, Jackson, Oak Park IL, Rockford IL, Ohare IL, Baton Rouge, Shreveport New Orleans, Metarie, Jersey City, Elizabeth, East Ruth, Newark, Paterson, Brooklyn, Niagara Falls, Portland (expanded), Nashville, Chattanooga, Milwaukee."