Goodness, I'm becoming a PR flack: Microsoft Adds 3-D City Models to Live Search: Microsoft Virtual Earth platform powers Live Search and provides a more immersive mapping experience for consumers, enterprises and developers.

Of all the groups I'd be excited to work for in Microsoft, the Virtual Earth team is on the top of the list. I was lucky enough to see a preview of the 3D work a few weeks back and I'm Super-Excited(tm) that it's out so that I can play with it more at home and see what the programming interface is like.

One thing Stephen did during that demo was plug in an Xbox-360 controller to his PC and just zoom around Washington State with the joystick. Very Nice.

Some interesting points of view:

• Looking at Red Hook Brewery, towards our house nearby, and Mt. Rainier in the background. 
• A view into The Gulch I played around in while living in Hawaii.
• A view of Mt. Little Si looking to the West, with Mt. Si right next door.
• Seattle sky-line viewed from West Seattle.