Last month I wrote a post on Des Moines finally making it on Google’s Street View tool. Why Google’s Street View is very cool, it could get even cooler. It was published today that a new satellite has been launched into space will provide Google with even more unprecedented resolution.

It’s a joint venture between a commercial satellite imaging provider and the Department of Defense. In return for undisclosed terms, Google got two considerations: its logo on the side of the launch vehicle, and exclusive use of the mapping images that the satellite produces. The new satellite hardware is a significant improvement over previous generations. Its camera drops the resolution of images down from a meter to half that figure—apparently, the hardware goes down to 0.41m.

Until Google publishes pictures from that new satellite, here’s a new tool added to our Downtown Maps page that allows you to see downtown three different ways simultaneously:

1. With Google Street View
2. With Google Street Maps View
3. With Microsoft’s Bird’s Eye View

A full screen version of the tool is more fun to play with and is available as a link under the tool. Please just don’t use these tools on your mobile device while driving, as this post’s picture shows what can happen.

Open up for Full Screen Use

But, if you think that is cool look what this company called MapJack is working on, now that’s cool. I sent them an email to suggest Des Moines as their next city to photograph, maybe you should too!

By MulderDSMcloseAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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Posted under Living Downtown | Last modified on September 8th, 2008.
Tags: Maps | Tours