Holodeck 1.0
A competition for Google's streetview got launched by Microsoft. 3-D-Web-Foto-Software Photosynth. It got integrated into Virtual Earth to rebuild the earth - of course in 3D - with the help of users, tourists and spaceviews of NASA. Walks and moves can be built by the help of all kiind of material which makes the illusion of seemless environments perfect. Somehow that reminds me of Star Trek's Holodeck which works the same way: Wikipedia on Holodeck: "The feel of a large environment is simulated by suspending the participants on force fields which move with their feet, keeping them from reaching the walls of the room (a virtual treadmill).". Fascinating...
Instead of sending expensive camera cars around the world Photosynth relies on the power of the mass: tourists and amateur photographers who accumulate digital snapshots of their trips around the world. Photosynth puts the pictures together to create 3-D-Modells that can be turned and tossed around. Everyone can create his own 3D souvenir, which is pretty cool. But be ware: at the same time you add your private - snapshots to Microsoft's public worldwide database. So if you get a call from someone who shouldn't know about you and your trip to/with...stay away.
