Released on: October 13, 2008, 7:47 am

Press Release Author: Earthware

Industry: Real Estate

Press Release Summary: When Ralph McTell wrote "Let me take you by the hand and lead
you through the streets of London" in 1974, I suspect that he had no idea that in
his lifetime you would be able to do this from your armchair. Web based mapping
specialists Earthware have joined forces with Seety, to release panoramic street
level imagery in the UK stealing a march on Google(tm). You will be able to see the
UK's first implementation in the commercial property finder, NovaLoca.com allowing
the map user to 'walk' around 1000 km of London streets from their PC.

Press Release Body: The majority of internet users have come into contact with web
based maps offering aerial or road map views of locations across the globe through
travel, property or general interest websites. Many will have also experienced
Bird's Eye views from Microsoft that allow you to view a location from four
directions: north, south, east and west.

However, Street Level View is the latest development in map views offering street
level panoramic imagery. This allows the user to view a location as if they are
standing on the pavement next to it and users can pan around, as though they are
turning their head. In essence, explore a city as if you are actually there, the
only thing is you haven't put a foot outside the front door. The race has been on as
to who can collect this imagery first and over the last year Google(tm) released this
functionality in their maps of locations across America and France, and this year
they have brought it to the major cities of Australia.

However a small innovative Italian company, Seety, are the first people to bring
this imagery to UK. They have driven the streets of central London taking
photographs (171,103 so far!) at regular points along over 1000 km of road,
processed them to remove any privacy concerns and linked them together on a street
map to generate a map of London you can 'walk through' from your PC. Having been
available on their website for a couple of months, Seety have now joined forces with
interactive web based mapping specialists, Earthware to develop the first UK
implementation of Street Level View within Earthware's existing mapping product,
EarthwareProperty. This implementation will bring a sixth viewing option to the map
user alongside the aerial, hybrid, road map, Bird's Eye and Bird's Eye hybrid view
options already available.

Earthware use the latest mapping technology to create compelling visual experiences
to bring their clients products and services to life which is certainly what this
street level imagery does. Therefore, it is of no surprise that the guys at
Earthware were keen to have it implemented into their maps. Neil Osmond, Operations
Director at Earthware says, "At Earthware, we are delighted to be involved in
somewhat of a coup in partnering with Seety to bring Street Level View to the UK
before anyone else. We are sure that people will really enjoy experiencing
travelling round the streets of London through their PC."

The first UK implementation of Street Level View is to be launched in the coming
days in the commercial property search engine, NovaLoca.com who were also the first
to implement EarthwareProperty. Since the launch NovaLoca have been reaping the
rewards of the in-map searches, instant access local area information and numerous
viewing options offered by EarthwareProperty as the site came to life and instantly
became a step ahead of other commercial property listing services. Of the latest
development in the mapping, Managing Director Miranda Munn says, "At NovaLoca we are
always trying to push the boundaries of what technology can do to help our customers
demonstrate the value of their properties to potential customers through the web.
The Street Level View is a step forward in allowing users to really experience a
property without the need for time consuming site visits".

Whether you are looking for a property in London, or simply want to take a look
around, this partnership between Seety, Earthware and NovaLoca has made doing so a
whole lot easier and much more fun.

Keep an eye on the Earthware blog as well as the press for announcements of the
release of the first implementation of Street Level View. Or for more information
contact Earthware on 0845 642 9880, NovaLoca on 0844 357 5260 or email Seety at
info@seety.co.uk.


Web Site:
http://www.earthware.co.uk/blog/index.php/2008/10/street-level-views-are-coming-to-earthwareproperty/


Contact Details: Earthware Ltd,
Pixmore Centre, Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth, SG6 1JG
Tel: 08456429880, Email: info@earthware.co.uk