Use Live Search Maps: A better way to get to A to B

The improvements to Microsoft Live Search Maps over the past year really make it worth checking out. I showed some of the aerial imagery in Live Search Maps to friends and family this week and everyone was impressed by what it could do. And I’m not the only one. PC World tested a bunch of mapping tools and awarded its highest rating to Live Search Maps. (Google came in fourth, with MapQuest right behind it.)

One of the most amazing things about Live Search Maps is being about to get 3D views of maps and cities. You can rotate around buildings and landscapes.

The images below show some of the capabilities of Live Search Maps. Click the images to get a larger view.

Find driving directions and save directions you need regularly to the scratch pad.

Quickly find driving directions and save directions you need regularly to the scratch pad.

 Identify nearby stores, supermarkets and other businesses.

 Live Search can identify nearby stores, supermarkets and other businesses you're looking for.

 Use the Aerial option to see a bird's eye view of the area you want to see.

Use the Aerial option to see a bird's eye view of the area you're interested in.

The Live Search Maps site describes some of the other things you can in Live Search Maps, including:

  • Getting ratings and reviews of businesses
  • Creating collections of locations that you can share with friends and family
  • Finding traffic updates

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

--Jason Kozleski