Microsoft has come out with an incredible piece of web software called Windows Live Local in beta form. It seems as though they're taking on Google Local. Regardless of their intentions, they have come up with some incredible 
advances that will forever change the way we using mapping software on the internet.
The most obvious and incredible feature is the Bird's Eye view. This view allows you to zoom in so far as to see people walking, cars driving, white caps on the Ocean, etc. at a 45 degree angle. Even more incredible than that, you can change the orientation of the view to see your target from all four cardinal directions. Essentially, it's like being able to see most major cities from a low flying airplane or a 'bird'. Yes, it's as amazing as it sounds.
Another notable feature of the system is the street level view for
Seattle & San Francisco. It's obviously buggy at this point, but
it sure will be amazing once they get the kinks all worked out. It basically let's you see both cities from a viewpoint that simply isn't available anywhere else on the web.
My favorite part of the new system is the Locate Me button which let's you see where you are located based upon variables such as IP address, Access Point connections, etc.. It's pretty cool when it works.
Most importantly to people who want to be productive: the system
let's you find directions to and from almost anywhere with significant
ease.
At this point, my research indicates only a few major cities are available in Bird's Eye mode: Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. However, I have found other areas that are available, so that may not be totally true.
You should take some time to check it out by Clicking Here, or you can see some notable locations I found below:
Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, CA
Central Park – New York, NY
Washington Monument – Washington, D.C.
Luxor Hotel – Las Vegas, NV
Back of the Hollywood Sign – Hollywood, CA
Bill Gates' House – Medina, WA
Some Random Boats in Boston – Boston, MA
Windows Live Local Technology Preview – Street level view of Seattle, WA or San Francisco, CA.
Way to go Microsoft, you have thoroughly impressed me!
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