Microsoft Enters Battle For Earth

Microsoft has weighed into the internet mapping competition with Virtual Earth, which enables people to view homes and businesses in any US neighbourhood from the air. MSN Virtual Earth was released on the internet on Monday night, Microsoft spokeswoman Jessica Munn said in an email interview.

"Online mapping and search technologies have created quite a buzz over the last few months," she said in response to questions.

"In general, people love maps.

"It makes sense to merge mapping and search to provide the richest experience possible for our customers," she added.

Virtual Earth, available at virtualearth.msn.com, allows internet users to download aerial views of cities overlaid with information ranging from street names and landmarks to nearby pharmacies, laundromats, or wireless hot spots.

"It is a new offering that gives users a deeply immersive local search," the company spokesman wrote.

Initially only aerial views of North American towns would be offered, but Microsoft has signed a five-year global deal with satellite imaging firm Orbimage to offer views from other parts of the world.

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