From the press release New Windows Live Local Service Delivers State-of-the-Art Advances for Web-Based Mapping and Local Search we learn

REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 7, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. will introduce a beta version of Windows Live™ Local, an online local search and mapping service that combines unique bird’s-eye imagery with advanced driving directions, Yellow Pages and other local search tools tomorrow, Dec. 8, 2005, at 9:01 a.m. PST. Powered by Virtual Earth™ mapping and location platform, these features give users useful new ways to map and find directions to various locations and better visualize their surroundings from multiple aerial vantage points.

“We believe Windows Live Local sets a new standard for what people can do with maps, directions and local search,” said Christopher Payne, corporate vice president of MSN Search at Microsoft. “The combination of immersive aerial imagery, customizable map annotations, innovative driving directions and the ability to share local search information with others gives users an incredibly powerful and easy way to find what they want and get where they want to go.”

The new service, which will be located at http://local.live.com, contains a range of new capabilities that will be exciting to search and mapping users. The most visible of these features is a new 45-degree bird’s-eye view of major U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle and Las Vegas. Covering about 25 percent of the U.S. by population, these bird’s-eye images are captured by Pictometry International Corp. via low-flying airplanes and then 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 enable navigation between directional views or zooming in closer to a destination. Now people will be able to experience what it’s like to be there, whether they are evaluating a new house to buy, choosing the exact location to meet someone, or just taking a virtual vacation. Over the next couple of years, Microsoft plans to continuously update bird’s-eye, aerial, and road map data and imagery as well as local listings and information.

This is hot. Bird's eye view, integrated driving directions and best of all support for places outside the United States. The Virtual Earth guys have outdone themselves. Now if only we could get some better integration with other Windows Live services. ;)