Yesterday we (Microsoft) launched the second beta for Internet Explorer - you can download the new web browser from the Windows IE8 web site. As you're browsing the web, you select the text on any page, right click (or just hover) and get a map using the "Map with Live Maps" link which will bring up a small window (formerly called Activities, now dubbed Accelerators) highlighting the map. From there you can get a bird's eye image or driving directions.
Try it out. You can always go back if you don't like the beta.
CP
Yesterday we (Microsoft) launched the second beta for Internet Explorer - you can download the new web
http://weblogs.asp.net/markwisecarver/archive/2008/08/28/internet-explorer-8-beta-2-includes-virtual-earth.aspx
Does this mean that the Virtual Earth plug-in is already pre-loaded with the browser? That'd be kinda cool.
Nope. It still makes a call to the VE APIs. Although, that would be awesome.