14 DAY TRIAL // Virtual Earth becomes Windows Live Local and is expected to go live today! This is a bold step for Microsoft that hopes this new service will supply a significant boost in local search services. The exciting news is the actual combination of the popular Virtual Earth and Live Local.
This new service offers both satellites and aerial captured images to be seen at the click of a mouse. A noticeable difference in this technology versus Google Earth is that Microsoft uses low flying airplanes to acquire their images rather than just satellite pictures.
The images and technology are acquired from Pictometry International Corp.; the licensing deal was made with Microsoft earlier this year. Windows Live Local offers users much higher resolution images and quality than Virtual Earth. Users will be able to zoom in closer and tilt to view buildings and streets from different angles with more ease and clarity than its predecessor had been able to do.
The official Virtual Earth blog said, "Virtual Earth has become part of the Windows Live Family and will be known as Windows Live Local (WLL)," the posting reads. "Keep your eyes open - you should be able to start enjoying features like Birds Eye imagery and User pushpins in just a few days."
It added that service is "indeed around the corner." Today's the day to turn that corner.