Map the world with the awe-inspiring Bing Maps 'Preview' for Windows 8.1

The preinstalled map app within Windows 8 is quite expert, but it comes nowhere near the detail and quality of map resources supplied by Google'due south ain mapping service. Microsoft intends to fix that idea and has just released their "Bing Maps Preview" awarding to the Windows Store.

But put from first impressions - nosotros are impressed.

The new Bing Maps Preview app gives higher detail and clarity for satellite imagery, new Streetside view (Microsoft'southward equivalent of Google's Streetview) support, and interactive 3D scenery.

Microsoft'southward data pipeline has been "crunching petabytes of imagery" to deliver the best possible mapping experience. Due to an advancement in technology, the company has claimed that their automated pipeline can process and button pixels at an amazing speed. In only "a matter of weeks", Microsoft states that their pipeline has already processed 121 trillion pixels to create the 3D scenery. In improver to Microsoft's pipeline information, the visitor has gathered a multifariousness of "earth builders" including those in the video game industry and experts within photogrammetry.

The new app also takes improve reward of both impact and mouse input; users can easily fly through the map and use their fingers to "touch it, tilt it, or turn information technology". Our starting time impression of the app shows smooth operation and elementary, nevertheless powerful, navigation controls.

Microsoft'south latest implementation of Streetside view introduces a new feature known as "bubble view"; using this feature, you can see a preview of what is on the street without leaving your larger perspective view. Inside Streetside view, yous tin can use arrows and labels, which help you navigate the maze of any urban center you wish to explore.

The Bing Maps Preview also gets more personal. Easily search for your favorite stores, restaurants, and more within the app, then view a new overlaid view of your search.

If you accept a common commute, yous can setup new Traffic Notifications that will alarm you via a popular up notification and/or alive tile well-nigh your commute. The feature is similar to what we take seen in Nokia's Here applications on Windows Phone.

Lastly, just as you have come up to honey Local Sentry on your Windows Phone, it has now fabricated its way to the Bing Maps Preview. Y'all can quickly find nearby places of interest; in improver to standard points of involvement, Local Sentinel tin deliver personalized results based on "when you're signed in, based on what yous've been searching for, what your Facebook friends enjoy and what's pop in the expanse."

In addition, but equally Local Picket on Windows Phone connects you to other external applications, Bing Maps Preview can launch apps such as OpenTable if y'all have found a eating place and would similar to make a reservation.

We didn't feel that a map revamp was at the needed summit of the list for Microsoft, but nosotros are happy to come across they are working on every attribute of the operating organisation. We are excited to see Bing Maps Preview leave its current phase and become the default map app for future Windows 8 users.