The Bing Maps Experience

Bing Maps, still in its beta phase, is now available to the public. Microsoft's move to rival Google Maps starts a comparison between the two. 


Google Maps has been the main source of information when it comes to maps, locations and even streets for most of us. Aside for their web-based world map, they also have Google Earth. 


So what makes Bing Maps different and/or better than Google's?
They're presenting a lot of "features". Comparing things with Google Maps, Bing Maps offers a lot of tweaks or smaller applications to make viewing the world a lot better.
A few added features include: standard road map, an aerial view, or a bird's eye aerial view. They also have a Street View, which comparing again to Google's, presents photos with higher quality. Live traffic and videos are also a plus on Bing's "World Mapping" project. 


A little on the downside, Bing's entry since they are still on beta, is quite slow. Loading the interface takes a bit of a longer time to load but hopefully that will be fixed. Some users also find that the street names and other locations were the locations 10-20 years ago.  Bing/Microsoft should consider having the site load faster to make the new service a lot better. The high definition images might also be causing the issue in terms of speed.


Since the project is still in its Beta stage, we can definitely expect a lot of tweaks and optimizations for it to have an edge against it's only rival.


more from http://blogs.computerworld.com/15190/bing_maps_microsoft_finally_beats_google_at_its_own_game