Photosynth Comes to Live Maps

Microsoft’s Photosynth is a still largely unappreciated thing. I’ve offered it my highest praise (“totally cool”) in the past. And this, from my SEL discussion, when it launched to the public: “Photosynth is one of the most compelling and genuinely unique products to come out of Redmond (other than Surface) in a long time.”

Now Microsoft has integrated it into Live Maps (you must have the Photosynth plug-in installed to view the images [PC only]):

This is perhaps Microsoft’s answer to Google StreetView. It’s a different and less straightforwardly “utilitarian” product and the “coverage” is likely to take longer becaue it’s user-generated. One thing I don’t like: it opens another window to view the images, so you’re taken away from the map. Otherwise, as I previously said, it’s “totally cool.”