Based on MSN's Virtual Earth platform, the new service features a 45-degree bird's-eye look at cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, and Las Vegas, covering 25 percent of the U.S. population in all.

To create the service, images were captured via airplane by Pictometry International and integrated with road and satellite maps to simulate 360-degree panoramas that can be viewed from four compass directions. On-screen navigational tools and preview tiles provide directional views or close-up views.

Notes with Search Results

Users can point to a location and obtain the appropriate directions even without having to enter a mailing address. Driving direction are delivered with bird's-eye or satellite views, with construction areas on the route identified. And an updated version of Microsoft Location Finder is also available in Windows Live Local for those using Wi-Fi-enabled computers.

Maps may be customized using "pushpins" that include personal notes about a particular location and can be used to create itineraries for sharing with others through e-mail, blogs, or MSN instant messages.

"We have taken a big step forward with Virtual Earth in terms of our imaging , advanced driving directions, and the ability to customize search results," said Angela Morrow, product manager for Windows Live Local.

"People like to filter their searches by geography and frequently look for things like stores and restaurants close to home," said Live Local program manager Steve Lombardi, noting that Microsoft has worked on its mapping technology for the past decade.

And with Live Local, he added, users can share that local knowledge with others. Advertisers, too, see value in sponsored links and messages on listings in their geographical region, said Lombardi.

Near and Far

Search sites have been adding to their local search capabilities for the past year in particular, hoping that locally based advertisers will find the popularity of such offerings worthy of investment.

But it still remains to be seen whether any single search engine can conquer those markets and whether local users will be drawn to the features. In creating more local content, search companies like Google have been especially keen to enhance online maps and driving directors.

Within the past year alone, map features have been updated at Google, MSN, AOL, Yahoo, Mapquest, and Amazon's A9.

Google recently brought its local search service out of beta, providing users with a map of the U.S. and Canada from which they can either zoom in or type in an address or location. The service offers both satellite and online maps, or merges them into a hybrid map.

Results can be combined with building searches or business listings. giving users the ability to search for specific locations within towns and find information on local attractions, restaurants, and hotels.

Yahoo has added new features to its own offering, bringing user reviews and interactive maps into the mix. As part of the expanded Yahoo Local service, users can submit recommendations for restaurants, movies, and events for a certain local neighborhood rather than for an entire city.

Readers can access the reviews through a My Yahoo account or via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. Interactive maps are tied to the reviews so users can find local businesses or restaurants more easily.