REDMOND, Washington, May 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- NASA and VisitBrighton put new Photosynth release to work in Virtual
Earth and outer space.

Microsoft Corp. today announced updates to its Photosynth technology that
enable commercial use through integration with Microsoft Virtual Earth. The
Photosynth integration into Virtual Earth signifies the first release
designed to enable businesses to use Photosynth in commercial applications.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

Photosynth software analyzes digital photographs and generates a 3-D
model by "stitching" the photos together. These models, or "synths," can now
be viewed using Silverlight technology across multiple platforms. Virtual
Earth brings together features, functionality and content that help
consumers, businesses, citizens and governments bring location to life. It
helps businesses and governments share location-based information, build
better connections with consumers or citizens, and helps organizations make
better operational decisions. With the integration of Photosynth into Virtual
Earth customers will be able to create detailed 3-D views of anything from
places to products and from hotels to homes.

"The integration of Microsoft Photosynth into Virtual Earth marks an
important step in enabling businesses to use Photosynth in a relevant,
customer-friendly way," said Jeff Kelisky, general manager, Mapping and Local
Search at Microsoft. "With the integrated capabilities of Photosynth and
recently added Silverlight API, our Virtual Earth partners have great tools
for creating, sharing, viewing and embedding synths across multiple
platforms, and building engaging experiences."

The commercial update includes new controls that enable users to decide
where and how they share synths by making synths public or unlisted on
http://www.photosynth.net. This allows organizations to manage the
availability and access to synths, giving greater control over the visual
representation of their places and premises. Synths can now include
user-defined highlights to showcase key images and greatly improve
navigation.

Customers and partners are already seeing the benefits of Photosynth and
Virtual Earth with examples now live from organizations and businesses as
diverse as NASA and VisitBrighton in the United Kingdom.

"This stunning collection of photographs using Microsoft Photosynth
interactive 3-D imaging technology provides people around the world with an
exciting new way to explore the International Space Station and learn about
NASA's upcoming Mars Science Laboratory mission," said S. Pete Worden,
director of NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. "This
collaboration with Microsoft offers the public the opportunity to participate
in future exploration using this innovative technology."

Other examples of customers include VisitBrighton, a tourism business in
the U.K., facilitated by New Mind Internet Consultancy Ltd., a U.K. partner
that has embraced the technology. VisitBrighton recognized the potential of
Photosynth both to businesses and visitors to Brighton. Together
VisitBrighton and New Mind have been able to offer potential visitors
detailed visual information about attractions to encourage people to visit
the city. For businesses there is the opportunity to show specific assets to
potential visitors, which can put them one step ahead of their competitors.

Potential applications of the new offering may include these:

- Real estate. Showing homebuyers the inside and outside of properties
      with interactive views
    - Tourism and hospitality. Giving an early 3-D and interactive view of
      hotels, resorts or cities
    - Retail. Enabling customers to see the insides of branches and stores,
      and browse products in great detail
    - Media and entertainment. Allowing media companies to create and share
      visual projects in a controlled environment, and build compelling
      campaigns and programs with new media
    - Public sector. Giving citizens rich detail on public services,
      buildings, land use and more
    - Internal business use. Using unlisted synths for location-based
      information, such as insurance risk assessment and claim processing



The video that accompanies today's announcement and customer showcases of
Photosynth and Virtual Earth can be viewed at the Virtual Earth Web site.

About Microsoft Virtual Earth

The Virtual Earth platform is Microsoft's next-generation integrated set
of powerful online mapping and search services that offer a variety of
capabilities, including unique bird's-eye view,* three-dimensional imagery,
and aerial and satellite imagery. The Virtual Earth platform also powers a
variety of consumer, enterprise and government applications that enable
people to discover and explore a specific location. Virtual Earth powers Live
Search Maps, Microsoft's online local search and mapping Web site. More
information about the Virtual Earth platform is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/default.mspx.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.

* Bird's eye view and 3-D view are available in many metropolitan areas.