Must See! Microsoft's Photosynth Makes Photos a 3D Experience

Developed by Live Labs--Microsoft's applied research arm--Photosynth automatically stitches together digital photographs to create a somewhat abstract but high-resolution three-dimensional re-creation (dubbed a synth) for the world to explore. And though ready-made examples have been previewable for several months now, Photosynth.net has finally thrown its doors open for everyone to upload up to 20GB of photos.

The 3D photo reconstructions suggest an improbable three-way love child of a David Hockney collage, Apple's QuickTime VR, and Microsoft Research's excellent WorldWide Telescope. But as PC World's former editor in chief Harry McCracken said when Photosynth technology was displayed in preview at the Web 2.0 Summit in 2006, it's one of the more mind-blowing things to appear since Google Earth.

Video: Interview with Photosynth.net co-creator, Blaise Aguera y Arcas.