Easy Map 3D

Easy Map 3D is a Mixed Reality-based project which as the name suggests allows one to explore the world in VR by using 3D Bing Maps as its source. If this sounds familiar to you, maybe it is because Google also pioneered a similar system, which has been praised for its power to bring the world closer to one's doorstep.

This application seems like nothing more than an alternative, the first time we look at it, when in fact I'd venture to say it is more than that. It gives users more insight into what can be done with the currently unlocked system.

You get to understand what your controllers do without having to use a more trial-and-error technique. Still, the images are sometimes scarce, although easier to access by a fair margin.

One big difference is that instead of enjoying 360 photo viewing, you get 3D-generated maps, which ultimately means that you'll either like it or not. In my case, I felt it was more accurate and maybe much more VR-friendly. There were fewer errors or distortions, and this made the experience more enjoyable in my situation.

What I enjoy about applications like these is how fun they are, and in the end, nobody will accuse you of having wasted time because you will have become more astute. You learn geography without even realizing it, and that makes it a great educative experience.

I find that applications like these could easily find their way into schools provided that these institutions are fitted with the right hardware in the first place.

Easy Map 3D is in the end exactly what I've imagined. It uses 3D generated terrain to make the world seem a smaller place, teaching geography to those interested, while also allowing them to fly around the world in a couple of seconds.