The Virtual Earth team has just released a major update that brings some great new features, as well as enhancements to existing features to Live Search Maps. Some of the highlights include:

• New imagery. Brings locations to life, with richer bird's eye and 3D imagery of more locations in cities across North America.

• Weather Integration. Features near-real time local weather and cloud formations within the 3D imagery.




• Localized maps. Provides maps in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish for customers in Western Europe. Localized maps are supported for both desktop and mobile applications.



• Near-matching capabilities. Uses near-matching capabilities to find locations with alternate and similar spellings, resulting in a more relevant search experience.


• Landmark-based routing. Enhances searching for customers in the U.S. and Canada by offering maps with familiar landmarks, such as gas stations and fast-food restaurants, called out by name.


• Rich imagery for mobile users. Shows new maps rendered specifically for mobile devices.

• One-click directions. Gives directions in one click, enabling you to choose from route options by shortest time, shortest distance, or traffic flow.

All of these improvements are made possible by the new Virtual Earth Web Service and Virtual Earth Map Control 6.2. If you are an application developer or a webmaster, you can take advantage of these new Virtual Earth offerings as well. For more details, see Announcing the Virtual Earth Web Service and Virtual Earth Map Control 6.2.

Enjoy!

Chris Pendleton, Virtual Earth Technical Evangelist