Today's announcement from Microsoft about its integration - finally! - of Virtual Earth and Photosynth opens up some fascinating possibilities for travel website owners.
Until now travel mapping was primarily restricted to standard charts, aerial/satellite views, and placing of images into pin-pointed boxes.
Both Google (via Google Maps) and Microsoft (Virtual Earth) were doing this as well as could be expected given the technology, allowing travel firms to embed maps into websites.
Google took things to the next stage recently with its controversial Streetview project.
And now Microsoft's fantastic Photosynth platform will be available for everyone to play with.
One of the pilots of the new integrated platform is VisitBrighton in the UK.
Here are some examples of other tourist attractions which have been 'synthed'.* Venice
* Martello Tower
* Moszna Castle
And finally a decent enough corporate video explaining the integration with some excellent visuals:
I think this "job competition" was an excellent example of well thought out and well executed Internet marketing.
Very often the traditional press don't understand the skill ,time and effort that would go into making this campaign so successful.
It left me thinking why didnt I think of that...then i had a Friday pub moment....if you can hire like that... would firing have an impact...perhaps sadly not one of my best moments..off to pub to deliberate on that one.