Zillow Integrates Microsoft Virtual Earth Maps and Aerial Images
By: Srinivas Paluri, Project Manager | May 14, 2008
If you’re an observant person or a fanatic of maps and aerial imagery, you probably already noticed that we updated our map images late last week by integrating the Microsoft Virtual Earth maps/aerial imagery with our underlying maps platform. As a result, you’ll now see aerial images that are more clear, crisp, and actually a bit closer when searching on Zillow.
Prior to integrating Microsoft’s Virtual Earth, we were hosting maps and satellite images we acquired from various sources. We have been using Microsoft Virtual Earth’s Bird’s Eye views of homes for some time now, and with the mapping technology of Microsoft Virtual Earth now integrated into the site, you’ll see improved maps and satellite images along with an expansion of coverage.
I’ve included some examples of some of the things you might notice off that bat:
New construction. Some of our developers who recently attended and lived on the University of Washington campus pointed out changes to the UW college apartments, which you can now see in the After image.
Closer aerial map views. Notice in the Before example there are more homes and streets showing at the most zoomed in-level, whereas on the After map view, the image is closer resulting in a more detailed view of homes.
Points of interest. In the top view, museums, stadiums and other prominent POI did not exist, but now you can see how close you live, or could live, to some interesting hot spots.
We hope you enjoy these updates. As always, if you have feedback on ways we can further improve the site, please do let us know!
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- Categories: Real Estate, Zillow
Comments
10 Comments so far
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Joshua on May 14, 2008 6:08 pm
You seem to have killed of heatmaps with your “upgrade.” Sure hope they are coming back.
Overland Park Real Estate on May 15, 2008 6:24 am
Those images do look a lot better. Was G your old source?
arjun on May 15, 2008 9:22 pm
woohoo!
Matt Goyer’s Real Estate Blog » Blog Archive » Zillow Adopts VE, VE Leader Promoted on May 22, 2008 1:01 am
[...] finally migrates from their own map platform to Virtual Earth. I’m surprised they waited as long as they did to do this. We certainly should have done it [...]
Srinivas on May 22, 2008 10:16 am
We lost the heatmaps from the upgrade. We will try to get them back. Our aerial image provider is GlobeXplorer.
anon on June 24, 2008 11:11 am
Heat maps have been down for over a month now.
Goodbye, Zillow.
nick on July 3, 2008 12:27 pm
Heat Maps need to be brought back!!
Sunshine on July 23, 2008 7:09 am
Good morning Mr. Srinivas Paluri,
Quick question. The aerial views are much clearer. I purchased my home over a year ago and made many changes outside. The aerial view have not changed. My yard look the same as when I purchased the home. Will zillow ever updated the actual aerial views of homes. I had a pool installed and updated landscaping. It would be kewl to see an overview of my yard now on zillow. Have a great day, Sir!
Simon on August 6, 2008 12:05 am
Are you guys using Live Search Maps API or Virtual Earth SDK and is the images served free from Microsoft or have to pay a fee? I’m planning to use Virtual Earth in my local application I’m building
Parker on August 6, 2008 5:14 am
I like the aerial view from VE, it’s really good