This may be old news to everybody else, but I've just discovered this and I'm blown away.

 

In the Google maps (browser), there's a button in the bottom right that tilts the map (this may be the Google Earth plugin). When you click this, the map automagically becomes a 3D map. They're somehow making the building pop up out of the map and they become 3D entities. Not just building either, but terrain, flora and fauna!

 

All I need now is my plane and I'd be a very happy VFR bunny!. Come on Google. Give us a flight simulator

 

Edit: It doesn't appear to have global coverage. I checked Lyon initially and then my home town of Reading

 

Yep, this is great tech, and similar tech is developed by several other companies. Some time in the future we'll be laughing at current FSX/P3D graphics (well most of us have been for a long time) just like we laugh at FS 5 graphics today.

 

 

If you use Google Earth, you can choose the Flight Simulator option and get some idea of how it would be.