Microsoft 3D views are catching up with Google. Google bought “Google Earth” from Keyhole and acquired the 3D building technology a few years ago, Google Earth runs as an application on a desktop but it needs an internet connection as none (?) of the data is actually stored locally.

Microsoft’s 3D views don’t store locally either, but takes the technology a step further by running within the browser, not a separate desktop application. However this does require a fat client download or ActiveX control, so it’s not truly a browser application in that respect, but it does run in the browser which is ironic because it is Google that is considered to be the pioneer of delivering applications over the internet.

Anway,  also wanted to point out this video which shows Chicago’s downtown landmarks in 3D in Microsoft Virtual Earth

http://www.windychat.com/downtown-chicago-landmarks-426.html

best,

Eric