The Google-Microsoft rivalry now extends to Santa Web sites |
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The Google-Microsoft rivalry now extends to Santa Web sites
We'd be totally into this if we were 6-year-old kids on Christmas Eve. Since the 1950s, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has tracked the whereabouts of Santa Claus as he makes his global journey across the continents.
The system has evolved over the years, and it now includes a pretty fun implementation of Google Earth and Google Maps. When I checked in, Santa was making his way through Africa. Along the way, NORAD has compiled some entertaining videos of Santa as he passes through places such as France, Russia and Australia.
Here's the video of Santa passing by the pyramids of Egypt.
Not to be outdone by its chief search rival, Microsoft has partnered with The Today Show on its own Santa Tracker Web site. It doesn't have video, and isn't quite as interactive as the NORAD/Google site. For example, the Google/NORAD partnership also shows kids where Santa's next stop will be. (Looks like London).
Microsoft and Google have squared off like two rival reindeers in other ways this holiday, with the two tech titans each rolling out their free wi-fi promotions at airports. Will the rivalry ever stop?
[Hat tip to Google Watch]
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