During the Microsoft College Puzzle Challenge in which I took part in a couple of days ago, one of the puzzles pointed me towards an interesting project at Windows Live Local. Apparently, this is Microsoft’s attempt at challenging Google Earth by providing a first person perspective of various locations in a city on earth.

With only maps of Seattle and Washington currently available, this project seats you in a virtual car and shows you the view of every part of the city as you cruise and navigate along the roads of the map. Since a cached snapshot is displayed every few steps you move on the city map, I cannot possibly imagine how many photos were taken in total to digitize the whole Seattle. It would be a really cool tool, however, if all major cities on earth could be implemented some day, opening up the possibility of virtual travelling. However for now, have fun in Seattle!