Google is notoriously slow and calculating about changing it the user interface of its services.
In fact, Google hasn't made any major changes to the look and feel of Google Maps since its launch in 2005.
On Friday, the company launched several refinements to Maps--the biggest changes to its look since launch. While you might not notice these changes immediately--unless you are a hardcore Google Maps user--they are designed to enhance the readability of the maps.
As seen above, the thick street outlines that can make maps harder to read have been eliminated.
Google describes the update here:
(L)ocal and arterial roads have been narrowed at medium zooms to improve legibility, and the overall colors have been optimized to be easier on the eye and conflict less with other things (such as traffic, transit lines and search results) that we overlay onto the map. Hybrid roads have gained a crisp outline to make them easier to follow, and the overall look is now closer to an augmented satellite view instead of a simple overlay.
Microsoft's Live Maps team just dropped a huge new version of its service in addition to the traffic updates from earlier Thursday.
Live Maps now offers a wealth of new features, including exporting to GPS devices, improved 3D imagery, and one of my personal favorites, MapCruncher integration.
Las Vegas hotels, as seen in Live Maps 3D
Microsoft is rolling out its new "version 2" 3D imagery in four cities (Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, and Phoenix) for now, with more to come later. The rest of us will have to wait and look on in envy. 3D improvements include higher-resolution textures, rendered trees, and buildings reaching farther out of the city cores and into the suburbs.
Another thing for GPS owners to get excited about here is that you can now export map collections in three different GPS-compatible formats (KML, GPX, and GeoRSS). Adoption of these standards also means that you can view these exported collections in any compatible application, such as Google Earth.
A side-by-side comparison of Giants Stadium with and without the seating chart overlay.
(Credit: VE/Live Maps Blog)The feature in this release that has me really excited is MapCruncher integration. MapCruncher basically enables you to apply layers on top of the map that you are looking at.
The example that the Virtual Earth team used (seen above) is overlaying a seating chart onto Giants Stadium. This could also be used in cases like overlaying a campus map, labeling buildings on top of a university or corporation. I think that this has really great potential in providing a new level of information for maps that you are viewing.
The Live Maps team is really together right now. It is offering a product that, in my opinion, is clearly superior to Google Maps. Live Maps is the best browser-based map experience out there today.
Thanks to Kip over at my other blog, LiveSide, for alerting me to this new release. The full feature list:
- Export your collection to your navigation/GPS device
- Improved 3D cities
- 3D modeling with 3DVIA
- Labels for bird's-eye imagery
- 1-Click directions (party maps!)
- MapCruncher integration
- Enhanced explore of map content from across the Web, contributed by other people
- Neighborhood subscribe via GeoRSS
- Tour enhancements, including hi-definition movies
- Directions and traffic enhancements
- Improved display of KML files, including Google MyMaps links
Back when Windows Live originally released Windows Live Search for Mobile, I absolutely loved it. Windows Live Mobile Search is a killer app, especially if you have a Windows Mobile phone. Version 1 of the application included tight integration with Windows Live Local, with support for both standard and aerial map views. The most powerful features, though, are local search and directions. You can search for addresses, restaurants, hotels, or whatever in your area and get directions to get you there. I can't tell you how many times it has helped me to figure out where I needed to go. Since its release in December of 2006, it has quickly become my favorite mobile application.
When I read today that they had released version 2, I was eager to check it out. Version 2 includes some key new features that really take this application to the next level.
Among the coolest of the new features in the Windows Mobile version of the application is movie showtimes. Windows Live Search will give you the showtimes for any movie at your favorite theater. So, there is no more scrambling around trying to figure out what time the movie you want to see starts; it's right there in your pocket. As if that wasn't enough, you can also see the ratings for the movie that you are considering seeing and get directions to the theater.
They also employed a similar strategy with their improved restaurant listings. The listing page includes consumer reviews and star ratings for the establishment in question. As always, there is a direct link to call the restaurant and directions to get there.
Windows Live Search for Mobile can either be used on Windows Mobile (2003, 5, or 6) or on J2ME phones. I am not sure how the J2ME version of the application is since I don't have a compatible phone to test it on, so if anyone wants to give it a shot, let me know in the comments.
Download Windows Live Search for Mobile (navigate here on your phone)
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