14 DAY TRIAL // I don't know how many of you remember, but a few days after Google had announced Google Earth, Microsoft held a press conference in which it promised that in July we will have the beta version of MSN Virtual Earth, which will obviously be much better and more beautiful than its Google counterpart.
As July is almost over, MSN has stuck to its promise and it launched MSN Virtual Earth Beta. But is it indeed better than Google Earth?
First of all, MSN Virtual Earth employs a different concept. For Google Earth, the user has to download an application, which takes about 10 minutes, provided that you have a good Internet connection. And since we're on the subject, those who access the Internet using a dial-up connection should stop reading the article, because it will take both services an hour before actually performing a task given by them. Unlike Google Earth, MSN Virtual Earth can be accessed with any Internet browser, typing in http://virtualearth.msn.com being enough to start the adventure. For Google Earth, users will have to start the application.
If you test both applications, you will find out they offer two completely different experiences. Obviously, both applications are based on satellite images, and therefore, it's normal to experience a slower speed. The difference is that, with Google Earth, once an image is downloaded, it will take a much shorter period of time to zoom in or out, while MSN Virtual Earth will reload the images every time.
On the other hand, in MSN Virtual Earth, the images actually look like photographs, while Google Earth looks more like Sid Meier has already released Civilization IV with 3D engine.
In both programs, users will have to double click on a certain location to select it, but in MSN Virtual Earth's case, you might find yourself double clicking four or six times before actually performing the task.
Another difference relies in the looks: for Google Earth, the elegant interface will let you control any information you want the service to display (from malls to volcanoes), while MSN Virtual Earth will display predefined information (locations like book stores or drug stores) and truth is that until you read the help, don't even bother to play with MSN Virtual Earth.
Perhaps MSN Virtual Earth is gambling on the right card by using a simpler interface, because, after all, this is a search service, but Google Earth, which looks more like a video game thanks to the effects displayed when zooming or searching for a location, seems more attractive.
It's interesting to notice that services perform similarly when actually searching, the only difference being that with Google Earth everything is funnier and more interactive.
Both services are beta, but Google Earth looks more like a beta 3, while MSN Virtual Earth looks like a beta 1, and the difference does not necessarily reside in the development stage, but more in the concept. MSN Virtual Earth looks like it's aimed at those who are actually searching for a location, while Google Earth is going more for the gamer hidden in all of us.
If Microsoft works on the interface, on the menus and it introduces the eagle eye view, MSN Virtual Earth will be a serious competitor for Google Earth. Until then, there's a long way to go!