Keyhole

Keyhole‘s technology (recently acquired by Google) combines a multi-terabyte database of mapping information and images collected from satellites and airplanes.

Keyhole’s rationale for its EarthViewer 3D product is that maps are the stock and trade of most geospatial solutions, but it’s important to remember that map reading is an acquired skill and maps leave out as much as they include. It uses 3-D viewing as a vehicle to present users with answers to complex geospatial queries. Users can enter addresses or query the EarthViewer “yellow pages” for points of interest, and they will receive a “video-game-quality” realistic view of the location with “fly over” capability. “Find all French restaurants,” for example, yields icons placed at locations so users can “fly” to and around locations.