NORAD’s Santa Tracking program, a 58 year that tradition started with a typo in a Sears Roebuck ad, has received a major upgrade for 2013.  After signing on for Christmas 2012, Microsoft will use its second year as the program’s corporate sponsor to flex its digital muscles. According to Mashable

On Christmas Eve, NORADSanta.org will incorporate a touch-enabled 3D globe that will light up when Santa starts the night. With an updated browser, users can spin the globe with their fingers or zoom in to get a closer look at the stops. It also uses Bing Maps to plot Santa’s destination spots throughout the night.

In addition, kids can make Skype calls to NORAD’s staff of volunteers to get personalized updates on Santa’s route on Christmas Eve. Of course, no Google Hangouts will be used for this purpose since Google Maps is no longer partnered with NORAD.  Not to be left out, Google has created their own Santa tracker, but without backing from NORAD, it’s unclear how they will be getting their data on Santa (possibly NSA?).

We have yet to learn which search engine, map feature or video chat capability is preferred by the Jolly Old Elf, but as NORAD’s official partner, Microsoft has a big advantage for engaging with kids and their parents all over the world while they track Santa on Christmas Eve.