Type Navigation | ||
Included with Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile Also available for Xbox One, Microsoft HoloLens | ||
Windows Maps is a mapping service and application developed by Microsoft. It is available for the Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox One and Microsoft HoloLens as a Universal Windows Platform apps.
Contents
Features
The mapping service made by Microsoft and HERE maps. Some of the features include viewing classic style maps with roads and street names. Ability to view city's from an "3D" view of buildings and parks. This program also Includes Bing Maps Streetside feature to view panorama pictures of an Public city, state, or country roads. Users can also sign into Windows Maps with their Microsoft account and sync favorites and directions. Users are also have the ability to download offline maps of different regions, countries, states or territories, and use them offline including knowing where you are offline. Other features come straight from Bing Maps.
It is possible to submit updates to Maps based on real-life geographic changes.
History
Maps is based on existing Microsoft technologies such as Microsoft MapPoint and TerraServer that are already used in Bing Maps. Maps was first implemented on Windows phone 7.5 and was updated with new features in Windows phone 8.1 where the Maps app took on a Purple paper map looking Logo and had features like the Windows 10 Mobile version but took on the Windows Metro style apps. Windows Maps (on Windows 10 Mobile) then changed the layout of maps. including the Logo to a destination pointer look. Since coming out of Preview there has been three different layout changes, including the introduction of tabs, the ability for users to sketch using ink, a switch for choosing between a light and dark interface for the app shell, and a switch for choosing between a light and dark map.
After HERE Maps announced it was discontinuing its Windows 10 Mobile app, Windows Maps announced support for migrating up to 300 favorites from HERE Maps to Windows Maps.
Global Ortho Program
In July 2010, Microsoft and DigitalGlobe, a leading global content provider of high-resolution earth imagery solutions, announced the collection of the first imagery from the company's Advanced Ortho Aerial Program. Through a special agreement with Microsoft, the Advanced Ortho Aerial Program will provide wall-to-wall 30 cm aerial coverage of the contiguous United States and Western Europe that DigitalGlobe has the exclusive rights to distribute beyond Bing Maps. The program's first orthophoto mosaics are of Augusta, GA, San Diego, CA and Tampa, FL, and can be viewed on DigitalGlobe's website.