Bing Maps is the second map after Google Maps. While Bing Maps has had to play catch since the starter gun went off, it hasn’t fallen behind so far. In fact, if you compare each map with Google Maps on Wikipedia, it’s almost on par – especially when it comes to what I consider to be the two most important features of any mapping application (location coverage and age of satellite images).
I’d say, give and take some features here and there, between both virtual maps that you shouldn’t get lost. Our editor Abhijeet can do with both because he still swears by Google Maps (and is still lost).
Bing Maps has a few great features of its own. Let’s look at a few of the main ones.
Receive guidance
Using a map app begins with the app giving you directions. You can also enter multiple directions (an uncle’s house falls on the way) and view it on the map. Directions are displayed with a high-contrast blue line on the map and turn-by-turn information on the left panel. You can modify the direction on the map by dragging the map marker.
Along with general routes, Bing Maps also gives you driving, transit, and walking routes for select cities in the United States (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Newark Metropolitan Area, New York Metropolitan Area, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver BC, and Washington DC).
Get the best route
Transit is to get to Point B from Point A in the fastest time possible. That could mean avoiding busy or congested routes like toll booths. Microsoft’s ‘ClearFlow’ technology takes real-time traffic data for 72 cities in the US, tries to guess traffic patterns and gives you the clearest path to your destination. Traffic volume is indicated using a color gradient from Slow to Fast. The trouble spots are marked and mentioned in detail.
A really cool feature is that you can load local traffic cameras and get a visual feed if available. Unfortunately they don’t have this for India.
Multiple ways to view street maps
If you don’t need directions (or if you need to), you can have fun by checking out the many view options on Bing Maps. The Aerial View is not as interesting as the Bird’s Eye View which gives you the feeling of being at a low altitude over an area.
Bing Maps also displays many prominent places in the US, UK, Canada and France using the 3D plug-in. You can pan, zoom, and tilt your way across the terrain.
Find a person or business
Bing Maps can also be used as a directory search if you’re looking for someone by their local address or business. Oh yes, like the Hollywood sign in the previous screenshot, you can also type in landmarks.
You can search in many categories:
Send directions to mobile device or email
You can easily send someone estimated directions via email or to their mobile device and GPS.
The best map app
As always, what do you do without a few apps to enhance your map experience? Bing Maps has an entire catalog – official and third-party. Here are a few that I would recommend – Photosynth, Gas Rates, Local Lenses, Singing and Billboards… among others.
Bing Maps is heavily localized for the US. That’s not surprising, of course, but the same holds true for Google Maps.
If you lost your way, which of the two would you use for your part of the world? Tell us.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
