3D Search Engines
Have you had enough of classic, simple search engines? Do classic lists of search results bore you?
In case you hadn’t realized, there are alternatives. New, so called 3D search engines are making their debut on the web.
In his excellent article, our colleague Aurélien told you about the 3D search engine Redzee. Today I will introduce you to Redzee’s current competitors: Searchcube, Tafiti, Tkaap/Galaxy and Spacetime.
Searchcube:
If we were only to introduce one of these new search engines, it would be this one. Why? Because it is probably the most thought-through and complete of all the 3D search engines. As the name suggests, it shows search results in the form of a cube. Each side consists of images. You can access the website of your choice by clicking on it. The cube can be turned around by using the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard. Searchcube uses Google’s data base through API Google Ajax Search. The 3D effect is created by Sandy 3D Engine, which also has the advantage of being open source.
Tafiti, or 3D search à la Microsoft:
This 3D search engine uses Microsoft’s Silverlight technology (an alternative to Flash) and is based on Microsoft’s search tools (web, images, news, RSS). You might already have guessed that it also uses Live Search results. In the center of the page you’ll find a list of thumbnails that match your search. On the right side of the page you can archive relevant URLs. Rumor has it that this search engine was only created in order to demonstrate Silverlight technology. Others, however, appreciate its innovative possibilities.
Tkaap/Galaxy:
This 3D search engine uses Adobe’s Flash technology and describes itself as a meta-player that combines different sources (YouTube, DailyMotion, etc.). Additionally, the results are listed in an interesting way. There is an export possibility for MySpace account blogs, too.
Galaxy is, above all, a new concept with an innovative interface and a “laboratory of ideas and concepts for RIA” (Rich Internet Applications). Web users can stay up to date by using the RSS feed on the website. We wish the website’s creators Sylvain Weber and Jacinthe Busson good luck!
Spacetime:
Spacetime is a kind of plug-in, a complementary module that you can install to get an entirely 3D view of the web. It works both with Firefox and with Internet Explorer, and although it needs a lot of space, it’s very nice to have.
Spacetime lists search results in the form of a cascade. Like Windows Vista Aéro’s Flip 3D, it allows you to browse through the images in the presented mosaic.
That was a little overview over the different 3D search engines available at the moment. Especially now that touch screens are being more widely used, these new search engines may actually be a real alternative to classic search engines, as these two concepts would work well together. Concerning daily use, however, I doubt that search engines based on a visual approach will be able to challenge the claims of traditional search engines such as Google.
Sources:
Journal du Net
Tags: 3D search engine, searchcube, spacetime, tafiti, tkaap/Galaxy
November 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I welcome this new look for a search engine. A 3D search engine? Look how creative people can get. It’s a good thing because it offers another way of looking at search results. That what makes me like http://find.com a lot – a new search engine with clean, simple layout and bigger fonts. I switch to that every time Google’s face bores me
December 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Do you think 3d in front or back of a generic name will be the next big wave in investments for Domain Names?
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
@ana :
It’s a good question. And the lastest news seem to convince us that “3d” in front or back of a generic name could be a good investment.
In fact, the following administrative panel decision about the domain name “image3D.net” http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2008/d2008-1537.html proves that these kinds of domain names are interesting.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
engines the best