untangling_the_web

DID: 4046925
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Yahoo Maps
In early 2006 Yahoo Maps introduced high-resolution satellite, aerial, and hybrid
images of the US, medium resolution imagery of the rest of the world, and medium
resolution global maps and overlays. Yahoo Maps imagery is provided by Aerials
Express and icubed. Despite what you may read, Yahoo Maps is using both
satellite imagery and aerial photography, i.e., photographs taken from airplanes.
Here's what Yahoo had to say about this development:
Here are the highlights:
Comprehensive Nationwide Satellite Imagery Coverage
Wall-to-wall coverage within the lower 48 states in the US. We are going
for the best coverage nationwide, from the streets of New York to every
inch of Redding, CA.
Global Satellite Imagery
The product features global images at 15 meters per pixel (zoom level 5,
medium resolution), which basically lets you find and see every city, town,
and major land feature in the world at medium resolution.
Global Maps
We're releasing maps and overlays at medium resolution for the whole
world as well. This should help you view not only the suburbs of Bangkok,
Thailand, but also help see the context of the imagery in hybrid mode.
APls
The new imagery and global maps are available for API developers
on the Yahoo! Developer
Network. So whether you're new to the
world of mashups or an experienced hacker, there is no better time to
show off what you can do.
Better Views
In addition to getting all the data we can, we're processing the satellite
imagery to make the visuals more aesthetically pleasing for users. We're
blending away seam lines and normalizing the color pallet to create a
continuous plane of imagery.89
89 Michael Lawless and Vince Maniago, "Mo' Beta Maps," Yahoo! Search Blog, 11 April 2006,
(30 October 2006).
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