Perhaps the move shouldn't come as a total surprise, as just last month, Microsoft revealed the inclusion of Nokia's "Where" platform within Bing Maps.
Many of the pictures you see on Google and Bing maps, and indeed on the BBC News website, are sourced from these two operators.
Instead, they choose to shroud the whole process in mystery even with such high-profile partners as Microsoft, which has offered up its Bing Maps software for the program.
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Flyover is Apple's take on the " birds-eye view" feature found on Bing Maps: you get a 3D render depicting an aerial view of large cities as if you were, you know, flying over them.
In addition to making the final Windows Phone Developer Tools available today, Microsoft Bing Maps and Microsoft Advertising have introduced new resources to help developers maximize their profit from their Windows Phone 7 apps and to heighten the end-user experience.
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In addition, Microsoft showed an update to Bing Maps that enables indoor search, such as within shopping malls, and a Google Goggles-like service called Bing Vision that lets users scan products like books to find quick links to product reviews, prices and vendors.
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However, indoor Google Maps only works on Android leaving Apple (WiFiSLAM), Microsoft (Bing Venue Maps), Nokia (In-Location alliance) and Blackberry looking for alternatives.
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Here are aerial photos of the Forbes headquarters at 60 Fifth Ave, New York, via Bing and Google Maps .
"While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app, " he added.
Regarding "Windows Mobile, " well, 6.x's days are numbered and getting Ovi Maps approved on Windows Phone 7 might not ever happen in light of Microsoft's own efforts with Bing navigation.
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