Microsoft Launches Windows Live Local

Microsoft's new online mapping service combines bird's eye imagery with driving directions and other innovative features.

Microsoft today unveiled a beta of Windows Live Local, an online mapping service which combines bird’s-eye imagery with driving directions and Yellow Pages. This roll out comes as Microsoft continues to expand their Windows Live portfolio of online services.

Windows Live Local is powered by the Virtual Earth mapping and location platform and allows users a new 45-degree bird’s-eye view of major U.S. cities such as New York and Seattle. This imagery is captured by low flying planes and then integrated with road and satellite maps to create 360 degree views from four compass directions. Tools and preview tiles allow the changing of navigation views between directional or zoom.

Users of the Windows Live Local service will also be able to point to anyplace on a map that they want to go to and immediately figure out directions, even if an address is not known. Driving direction options have also been expanded, offering users a choice of step-by-step using bird’s eye or satellite views and identification of construction areas along a route.

Other new features include an updated version of the wireless enabled Microsoft Location Finder and “Pushpins” which can be used to customize maps with useful information about a location which can be shared with others through email and instant messaging.

“We believe Windows Live Local sets a new standard for what people can do with maps, directions and local search,” said Christopher Payne, corporate vice president of MSN Search at Microsoft. “The combination of immersive aerial imagery, customizable map annotations, innovative driving directions and the ability to share local search information with others gives users an incredibly powerful and easy way to find what they want and get where they want to go.”