Microsoft launched an early version of its mapping software called MSN Virtual Earth yesterday. This new program is designed to compete with similar mapping search software released earlier this year by Google.
The new software is available at www.virtualearth.msn.com. It has navigation tools that allow users to pan and drag maps. It is designed to allow for users to find satellite images of various addresses and locations.
In addition, because the new software uses the Yellow Pages and White Pages directories for each location, users can search for and locate restaurants, hotels or other desired locations in a given area while using the software.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates put MSN Virtual Earth on the fast track to release this year after Google released its version.
Right now, the software should be accurate within 250 meters of the user's location but that should increase over time. In the future, Microsoft hopes that Virtual Earth may allow users to create their own features, for example locating the best Chinese restaurants in a given area along with reviews and other information.
Tom Baily, a director of marketing with Virtual Earth told the 'Seattle Times,' 'The real key for us is to deliver a really rich, immersive, local search experience that causes people not only to stop by, but really begin to use this in their day-to-day life,' he said.
That goal remains a challenge in the future for Microsoft, Google, Yahoo! and other sites introducing this technology.
