14 DAY TRIAL // Bing Maps users will be able to enjoy fresh visual details and new features when leveraging Microsoft’s mapping, search and location platform. At the start of August 2010, the Redmond company introduced an overhaul to Bing Maps’ UI, and spent the last few months perfecting the aesthetics.
On December 15th, the software giant announced that version 1.1 of the new Map Style for Bing Maps was ready for the general public.
According to Brian Hendricks, Product Manager Bing Maps, Microsoft focused on integrating feedback from users in order to refine the platform’s new visual style.
“We’ve updated our map style to reflect user feedback so it’s even easier for people to find where to go, how to get there, and what to expect along the way,” Hendricks stated.
“Key changes are: increased city density while preserving a clean, visually appealing map; clearer differentiation between major and minor city streets; greater color contrast at the city-level so streets “pop” out more; altered font sizes and contrast for crisper, less cluttered map labels and improved highway shields for US and added new shields for 7 countries.”
Users can head over to Bing Maps immediately and see the new style changes.
In addition to the new look, the software giant also rolled out a set of features to Bing Maps & Local.
Interior Views, Enhanced OpenTable Integration, Real-Time Transit, and Streetside for Mobile are now available to Bing Maps users.
According to Hendricks, the focus of the update was placed on enhancing visual details for users, streamlining access to local information and improving the quality of maps on mobile devices.
“With that in mind, (…) we’re announcing four new features we’re really excited about:
• Interior Views: Provides users with immersive 360-degree panoramas of local businesses
• OpenTable Integration: Lets users interact with OpenTable directly from restaurant pages
• Real Time Transit on Mobile: Gives users real time info if a bus is on-time or delayed
• Streetside for Mobile: Brings users street-level imagery + some mobile-exclusive enhancements,” Hendricks added.