Google hacks and Microsoft Photosynth
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By Steve Bass | Published 16:00, 24 August 07
Microsoft Photosynth
Microsoft's entry into the mobile phone arena is sure to give Apple a run for the money - and promises to take the nerd world by storm.
Microsoft's Photosynth is awesome - and addictive. You can travel to Rome, zoom in on St Peter's Basilica, and see details - and I mean close, close up - that I guarantee will amaze you. (The hardware requirements are stringent - more in a sec.) Don't believe me? Watch this 7-minute Photosynth demonstration.
But wait a minute: unless you have a heavy-duty PC - you need Windows XP and the hardware needs to be Vista ready - save your time. You just won't be able to use Photosynth. If you have the system requirements, you'll also need to download a small ActiveX plug-in available at the Photosynth site.
Up and running
Photosynth is now up and running.
Once you've finished killing time at the default spot, St. Peter's Basilica, head for the rest of the collection. My favourites? Grassi Lakes (did you spot any trout?) and the NASA collection.
Microsoft Live Labs has the story behind Photosynth, including three videos of the amazing imaging techniques they're working on.
Google News: have your say
The Google News blog recently announced an experimental - and very welcome - addition to the news service. If you or your company is quoted, or even just mentioned, in a story indexed on Google News, you can have your say.
Once Google verifies you're really the person or organisation in the story, your comments are posted online.
Note to every PR flak I've worked with in the past 20 years: be gentle, will you?
