近日，微软发布了新的 Virtual Earth SDK 推出，并且支持了使用 3D 地图的第三方应用。根据 SDK 所述：

"The Virtual Earth map control now supports 3D maps. This is a very significant change, both in terms of user experience and in the way you develop your Virtual Earth applications. To view the 3D maps, each user must install the Virtual Earth 3D control and must have sufficient computer hardware to display the maps. The map control has been updated to provide the APIs you need to get started with the 3D maps."

终端用户还需要安装 Virtual Earth 3D 控件才可以充分使用 3D 功能，SDK 允许检查是否安装控件，或者关闭 3D 功能。

并且更具 Live Maps / Virtual Earth 博客，他们推出了另一个 Virtual Earth 图像的更新，其中包括增加了支持鸟瞰图的城市：

英国、美国鸟瞰图

Aldershot
Newbury
Ayre
Warwick/Leamington
Telford
Mansfield
Blackburn / Darwen
Basingstoke / Basing
Burnley / Nelson
Cannock / Great Wyrley
Craigavon
Nuneaton
Redditch / Astwood
Abergele / Rhyl / Prestatyn
Weymouth

Worcester, MD
Orange, CT. (plus more CT)
Warren, NJ
Hunterdon, NJ
Cape May, NJ
Jackson, MS
Tulsa, OK
Reno, NV
Marion, OR
Fulton, NY
Northampton, PA
Albany Metro, NY
Henrico, VA
Yonkers Metro, NY
Fresno, CA
Harford, MD
Larimer, CO
Erie, NY

更多支持 Virtual Earth 3D 的 Live Maps 的体验，可以参看 Livesino 的相关报道。

(via Livesino)