Microsoft on Thursday unveiled a beta version of Windows Live Local, which is based on its Virtual Earth aerial image application and integrates local search, mapping, driving directions and yellow pages with a bird's-eye view of major U.S. cities.
The service offers a 45-degree bird's-eye view covering about one-quarter of the country's population. Cities include New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle and Las Vegas.
The bird's-eye images, captured by Pictometry International using low-flying planes, are integrated with road and satellite maps to simulate 360-degree panoramas that can be viewed from any of the four different compass directions. Users can choose between directional views, for instance, to see the front or back sides of buildings, or zoom closer using on-screen navigation tools and preview tiles.
The new service also enables users to create customized maps by adding user-created pushpins, as well as annotate maps and share maps and local search information with others via e-mail by posting them as blogs on MSN Spaces or through MSN Messenger.
Users don't need to know the address or name of a place to locate its whereabouts, but can simply point and click to get directions. They can also click on a point on a map, including on a parking lot, building or open space, to create a pushpin there and get driving directions to that exact spot. In addition, users can switch between the aerial view and the birds-eye view of a map.
Microsoft plans to expand the bird's-eye view coverage with its exclusive partnership with Pictometry to cover as much as 90 percent of the U.S. population, which means the big cities but not all the "corn farms in Nebraska," said Stephen Lawler, general manager for MapPoint and MSN Virtual Earth. The bird's-eye images are also likely to be refreshed every year, with areas such as the tree-filled northeast updated during the winter when the leaves are not obscuring the view, he added.
Driving directions can be enhanced to include information on construction areas and other helpful data. The service also includes enhanced printing options and an updated automatic location finder for people using Wi-Fi with laptops and tablet PCs.
"I think it's very impressive. The photography offers a higher degree of resolution and clarity than what is otherwise available from aerial or satellite photography," said Greg Sterling, managing editor at The Kelsey Group.
"There are a lot of personalization aspects to it," including the ability to add notes and create custom maps, he said.
Sterling also praised Windows Live Local's integration with MSN Messenger, which allows multiple people to simultaneously view and interact with the same map.
AOL, Google and Yahoo also have integrated mapping and local search services, but Windows Live Local will be the first of the major mapping services to offer something other than just a view from directly above, as most satellite imagery has offered.
Meanwhile, in addition to Google Local integrated map and search, the search company has Google Earth, a downloadable program that allows users to get a simulated view of flying over cities. And Amazon's A9 mapping tool displays street-level views in its service.
Microsoft plans to add street-level images in the future. However, Lawlor said neither street-level nor satellite-based aerial views provide enough visual information for people to really see where they want to go.
"Rooftops don't give you enough context," he said. "Literally, we want to digitize the real world and bring it to you on your computer."
Looking at a flat overhead view mapped onto a textured surface is uhh... slightly different.. then actually having an angled view. Try out google earth yourself, and angle the view of large buildings. Then read this article again and notice "taken from low-flying planes" rather than directly overhead.
Google deployed these features (and more) in its Google Earth product months ago. CNET should be a bit more plugged in to what's going on in IT if they want to continue to be respected as an authoritative source.
I suppose its not too surprising that this service does not work with many browsers on Mac OS X. OK, you might forgive them for not testing with Safari, but Explorer on the Mac also fails to produce images.
Using Netscape, I just found out that I live in the middle of the street, some 400 yards from my actual address.
Say what you will about the Google service, it works with all of the browsers that I have tried on Windows & OS X, AND it gets my address correct.
I am not a MS fan by any means...but local.live.com is way better then Google Maps/Earth. You dont even need to download software. Easier to pick points, history is kept and the bird's eye is also cool. Sorry Google.
Finding the zoom unreliable in bird's eye view mode. Moving between "thumbnails" is not seamless. Some examples: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.ndrs.org/physicsonline/locallivecom.htm" target="_newWindow">http://www.ndrs.org/physicsonline/locallivecom.htm</a>
Chamtech's spray-on antenna uses a nano material to provide a low-power boost to antenna range. The wireless-in-a-can product may some day bring an end to unsightly cell towers.
Whether Apple will release a new iPad next month doesn't seem to be the question as much as what day it will happen. A new rumor has it down to the day.
Tommy Jordan, the man who shot his daughter's laptop for YouTube, gets a visit from police and child protection services. Oh, and Good Morning America.
EnerG2 opens a plant to make an engineered carbon that will improve performance of energy storage devices and make storage for start-stop hybrid cars less expensive.
As UC Berkeley students, the co-founders of "Back to the Roots" discovered they could grow mushrooms using recycled coffee grounds. Now their mushroom kit sells at grocery stores across the country.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://earth.google.com/product_comparison.html" target="_newWindow">http://earth.google.com/product_comparison.html</a>
at least MS is building there own product
at least MS is building there own product
I've never seen this on Google Earth, just satellite imagery and Keyhole viewing software rebranded with the Google logo.
That's nothing to do with these features.
Where's the link?
I've never seen this on Google Earth, just satellite imagery and Keyhole viewing software rebranded with the Google logo.
That's nothing to do with these features.
Where's the link?
How ironic for you to accuse CNET of not checking facts when YOU are the one who needs to do some reading.
with many browsers on Mac OS X. OK, you might forgive them
for not testing with Safari, but Explorer on the Mac also fails to
produce images.
Using Netscape, I just found out that I live in the middle of the
street, some 400 yards from my actual address.
Say what you will about the Google service, it works with all of
the browsers that I have tried on Windows & OS X, AND it gets
my address correct.
Some examples: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.ndrs.org/physicsonline/locallivecom.htm" target="_newWindow">http://www.ndrs.org/physicsonline/locallivecom.htm</a>
Cheerio!