Windows Live Local
Microsoft has launched Windows Live Local, their mapping tool /local search that now has aerial flyover views of major areas thanks to Pictometry.
A new feature also allows you to add pushpins by right-clicking anywhere on the map (although the feature didn’t work in Opera). Driving directions are now available in Live Local, something that wasn’t when it was released as MSN Virtual Earth in July. Mary Jo Foley has more.
Ultimately, it’s still the same product we saw in July, just improved. My review from then still stands. Virtual Earth is an excellent middle ground between the online-based Google Maps and the Google Earth program. It has features needed from a “real” application, like the pushpins and scratch pad, while having everything else Google Maps has.
The addition of the aerial photographs and diriving directions means it now has gotten rid of the only serious issues with the initial release: poor satellite imagery and no directions. While Live Local may not have all the buzz Google Maps has, it is better at what it does. A better interface, and some great features. Google does the “empty white space” interface better than anyone, but Microsoft knows you can fill that space with some great stuff.
UPDATE: Gary Price has some great stuff on Live Local, including that MSN will be adding satellite imagery for the rest of the globe and flyovers for more cities. Good reading.
He also links to more great looking locations:
Bird’s Eye View on Windows Live Local
Gary Hall has some great info on it.
Via Nathan.
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