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August 17, 2005
Armchair window shopping with A9 Maps
I have compared a few mapping services earlier in my blog for features, correctness and user experience. Just when you think the mapping problem has been basically solved and further improvements in various services would be mainly in user experience, technology advances and catches you by surprise. Some mapping services continue to blaze a trail of innovation, adding entirely new features that other mapping services simply don't offer.
Just yesterday, A9.com, a search engine subsidiary of Amazon.com, debuted its map services with an interesting new feature, Block View Images. This feature uses geocoded images to let you literally walk up and down a street from the comfort of your armchair, much as Google Earth lets you fly to a destination of your choosing. There is a database of millions of images that puts users in the middle of Times Square or at other famous urban landmarks. Window shop at the retail scene around a new neighborhood. Don't like the shade on your side of the street? Just cross over to the other side and walk as you soak up the sun.
Browse around your favorite city a little and you realize this service is almost too good to be true. What's the catch? Some poor schmuck has to be driving around all the time taking the pictures that make this possible. Well, hey, at least he is working hard, having fun and making history!
Posted by Vishy at August 17, 2005 11:22 PM