Unhappy with the quality of satellite imagery on Google Maps and Google Earth? You're in for a treat: Google has signed a deal with GeoEye Inc and will be receiving imagery from their new high resolution satellite called GeoEye-1. GeoEye spokesman Mark Brender claims that the new satellite will provide the highest resolution commercial imagery available, at .41 meters in black and white and 1.65 meters in color. Yes, that means: stay locked inside your house if you want privacy, cause it'll all be out there in high-res on Google Maps and Google Earth for everyone to see.
According to Google spokeswoman Kate Hurowitz, Google will start receiving new imagery in 45-60 days. However, this doesn't mean Google will shun everyone else; they plan to continue using imagery from other providers, including GeoEye's rival Digital Globe, whose high-res satellite WorldView-1 offers half-meter resolution in black and white only.
Still, it's good news for GeoEye, whose shares, workforce, revenues and profit are all going up.