LiveSearch seeps into Multimap

 

Gallery

By Stuart Turton

Posted on 10 Apr 2008 at 15:28

Microsoft has quietly begun to integrate its Live Search tools into Multimap, the mapping company it acquired last year.

Users visiting the site will now find it re-branded with LiveSearch and a selection of services from the software giant, including integration with its Virtual Earth utility allowing you to see bird's eye photography of the area you're viewing.

The company has also built in its business finder and route planner tools, as well as the more obvious "search web" facility which takes users directly to the LiveSearch site.

The tools represent something of an about face for Microsoft, which was previously considering folding its new acquisition into Virtual Earth and Local Search.

The decision to offer targeted services through Multimap could be seen as a shift in strategy for the company as it attempts to broaden its user base.