Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Microsoft, French Firm to Improve Virtual Earth

Software mega-giant Microsoft Corp. revealed today that it has extended its partnership with Dassault Systemes. As a result of its expanded alliance with the French 3-D technology specialist, Microsoft said it will add new features to its Virtual Earth platform, the application that powers Live Search, Microsoft's free, online Web-mapping service. Specifically, Microsoft said it will use technology derived from Dassault Systemes' CATIA 3-D modeling capabilities to make Virtual Earth more realistic and easier to use. Dassault Systemes is headquartered in Paris and provides CAD/CAM tools used for 3D design.