Windows Live Search for Mobile

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://wls.live.com/' target='_blank'>http://wls.live.com/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-01.jpg" /><br /><br />News of the availability of a beta version of Windows Live Search for Mobile surfaced this week, and we took the opportunity to give the application a test run. Learn more about it after the break. <!><br /><br />Windows Live Search is a very well-designed application that leverages the power of the Windows Live Local service. It offers four components: categorical-based searching, aerial and road mapping, driving direction searching, and traffic information.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-02.jpg" /><br /><br />With a city selected, you can flip through a number of categories to search for locations of interest (hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, shopping centres, government and community centres, etc.).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-03.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-04.jpg" /><br /><br />The mapping feature is very similar to what's offered in Virtual Earth Mobile. It taps into the same Live Local service, and offers both aerial and road maps.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-05.jpg" /><br /><br />The zooming effect is animated (similar to using your scroll wheel in <a href="http://local.live.com/">Live Search</a> on your PC), and works very well with D-pads (up, left, right, and down for moving around the map; the action button for zooming in).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-06.jpg" /><br /><br />You can also fetch driving directions from Point A to Point B, no matter how far apart they are (well, within reasonable limits). ;)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-07.jpg" /><br /><br />Fetching is relatively quick. The application uses the same spinning circle seen in the Xbox 360 and Zune.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-08.jpg" /><br /><br />And voila: driving directions!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-09.jpg" /><br /><br />But plain text is no fun, so Windows Live Search for Mobile offers route mapping functionality...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-10.jpg" /><br /><br />... which happens to support both aerial and road maps.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wlsmobile-11.jpg" /><br /><br />You can also retrieve traffic information for most major cities.<br /><br />Contrary to popular belief, Windows Live Search for Mobile works for cities outside of the United States, though searching may be limited, so you'll probably find yourself using it for maps and nothing else. It's free, and very well put together, so go <a href="http://wls.live.com/">grab it today</a>. A web-based version of Windows Live Messenger for Mobile is also <a href="http://ideas.live.com/programpage.aspx?versionid=fb5c3c0b-0ea3-4661-8dad-e4887a687c7d">available</a>. Check <a href="http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=6873">Geekzone</a> for a screenshot of the service on Pocket PCs.

[freitasm]

Darius, the link for WLM Messenger for mobile browsers is http://mobile.live.com/wlm/imsi.aspx. Just visit it from a mobile browser (phone, smartphone or PDA) and use it!

By the way, the "Darius" on my screenshot at Geekzone is your handle...

[dodge45]

Cool stuff. But don't even try the Java version on a Windows Mobile Phone: it just doesn't work. Or maybe it's me...

The Windows native version looks very cool though. Since I don't have a GPS, I used it with Navizon (http://www.navizon.com), a virtual GPS using cellular and Wi-Fi triangulation, and it worked great: displayed my position on the map and displayed the traffic information in my area.
The maps were a little slow to display though: I know it's not my internet connection since the exact same map was loaded much faster on Internet Explorer.

[powder2000]

I saw this on www.jkontherun.com and decided to try it out on my ppc-6700. I was pleasantly surprised and actually love the program. The only thing I haven't gotten to work is the bluetooth gps connection. Anyone else have any luck?

[tivoboy]

great stuff, I have been using this a while now, and honestly, I haven't say "man, this ROCKS!" about anything from redmond in a long time!

I'd like to get the GPS working, i'll try the navizon stuff.

[alphonso]

I agree 100%. This is the best application Microsoft has come out with in centuries. And I'm a microsoft fan! But yeah this is a great app! I just cant get my bluetooth GPS to work yet.

[SkyBoy]

I just installed this on my HTC TyTN. The program works fine, but it has taken over the "Search" program for my PocketPC. Is there any way to get the regular "Search" back, as I often have to search the contents of my PocketPC (like to find an appointment or file on my PocketPC) without un-installing? I would like to have BOTH functions available to me...
Thanks in advance!

[alphonso]

I saw this on www.jkontherun.com and decided to try it out on my ppc-6700. I was pleasantly surprised and actually love the program. The only thing I haven't gotten to work is the bluetooth gps connection. Anyone else have any luck?

I have the same problem. My GPS connects but the Application just looks for the GPS data indefinateley

[ctmagnus]

I just installed this on my HTC TyTN. The program works fine, but it has taken over the "Search" program for my PocketPC. Is there any way to get the regular "Search" back, as I often have to search the contents of my PocketPC (like to find an appointment or file on my PocketPC) without un-installing? I would like to have BOTH functions available to me...
Thanks in advance!

I have the new Search directly on the Start menu (it installed itself there by default), and the old Search is still in Start Menu\Programs.

[SkyBoy]

I have the new Search directly on the Start menu (it installed itself there by default), and the old Search is still in Start Menu\Programs.


yeah, I had Search in the Start menu before installing Live Search. It replaced the default Search. I then uninstalled and it completely removed the Search item (was not in the Start menu OR under Programs). I had to beam over the search.lnk file from another PocketPC to get the function back.
strange...

[huangzhinong]

I saw this on www.jkontherun.com and decided to try it out on my ppc-6700. I was pleasantly surprised and actually love the program. The only thing I haven't gotten to work is the bluetooth gps connection. Anyone else have any luck?

I have the same problem. My GPS connects but the Application just looks for the GPS data indefinateley

My bluetooth GPS works very well with windows search live mobile. If you saw the grey arrow, it means the connection between GPS and devices has been made. Once the arrow turns into red, it is 3D-fixed. If it takes forever to be fixed, it may be your GPS problem. Try use other program connecting the GPS first, and then disconnect the GPS once the 3-d fix was obtained. After that try the windows live mobile again.

The only glich is the map can't update fast enough if car speed is more than 40 files. Maybe 3G is needed (I am still in T-mobile EDGE).

Fantastic applications. The best software from MS after Windows 95.

[Jason Lee]

so is thisbreplacing virtual earth mobile? this appears to do everything it does and a few more things. perhaps virtual earth mobile was so popular that they decided to make it something more official?

It really appears to be virtual earth mobile with a nicer interface.

[powder2000]

Ok, well that helps. I did notice the grey arrow so maybe my connection was good but the signal was just week. Again, thumbs up to MS Mobile on this one.

[virain]

Interesting program, very useful. I will try GPS today :)

[huangzhinong]

found some serious bugs:

1. This program won't exit. No matter using the exit command or the wisbar like taks manager, the program just doesn't response to "ctr +Q". Using some process managerment program can terminate the windows live search (such as memmaid, task managerment 1.0 and the system memory applet), but the used memory won't be released and a chunk of 8MB is occupied until reset.

2. The program doesn't disable power managerment, so that the device will power off according to the power scheme in your device.

3. The routing featuer won't work together with the GPS tracking. This may not be a bug, but a feature to avoid the competition with real GPS software.

I hope they will add the "my favorite" in the future. It's really a pain to type in home address and work address every time.

[virain]

Just got back from a "test drive" of this prigram. So here is first look at use and functionality of it in real life:
1. Easy to use, friendly interface. By pressing "Exit" button from menu, program shuts down completely.
2. Directions are very good (compare to Ostia Pharos), but when using GPS tracking, it would be nice to have some sound warning of upcoming turn. Also to find an address or POI is very easy. (No need to know a ZIP code like in Ostia), which is a BIG plus when driving in New York City area.
3. But it will require fast internet connection, your Regular GPRS is too slow to load maps in time, specialy when you drive more than 10 mph. It seems that maps are pulled one by one from the server as you drive. Bu the route is still shown, and you can see progress on a screen without maps on a background.
Well, this is my first impression of usefulness ov Windows Mobile Live Search. In general, program is good, useful, easy to understand, but with few things still needed such as Sound Notification for upcoming turns (you don't have to much time to watch ascreen while driving) and Fast and reliable internet connection, I think minimun EDGE is a must!
P.S. Tested on Mio A701 with the latest ROM update. :D

[Darren Behan]

For those having difficulty with the GPS, you may need to change the com port settings under Options. Had to do it for my Artemis which has on-board GPS and it works fine. It would be nice if you didn't have to turn on GPS tracking every time but I suppose I understand it given that most people are connecting though an external GPS. Still, it would be a nice option to have it automatically connect in the release version.

Overall, a very cool app. It'll be interesting to see how it performs in real time relying on phone signal strength as it does. Probably quite useful for walking around on of the available cities though.

db

[extravagant]

Well a few things need to change..

a) when you want to get directions, u should be able to put in an actual address with street numbers, this is not allowed for some reason and u can only add cities... I don't understand that.... the way google maps works is what I'm talking about... the only reason I don't use google maps is because for some reason i get charged everytime I use google maps since it uses WAP and not GPRS (go figure).. if google maps wasn't only in java then I would use it.

b) There should be a people search integrated with yellowpages or something

c) when you press the center button to scroll u should be able to press back to scroll out too..

d) Closer images for Toronto in Canada (Toronto works fine on Google Maps)

If the Live team can take this program one step further in adding whitepages / people support including reverse phone lookup and all that sort of thing in an all in one application, I think it will be a more serious competitor to Google Maps and would actually offer more value, do you guys agree?

[ctmagnus]

This program won't exit. No matter using the exit command or the wisbar like taks manager, the program just doesn't response to "ctr +Q". Using some process managerment program can terminate the windows live search (such as memmaid, task managerment 1.0 and the system memory applet), but the used memory won't be released and a chunk of 8MB is occupied until reset.

There's an Exit command on the right soft-key menu in WM5. And I've noticed that it takes a while for the memory to get freed up, but it does eventually become available without user intervention.

[dma1965]

There are definitely some things that can be improved, and a few things added (such as flight status lookup), but for a first try at a beta, this is pretty damn good. I like it a lot. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I truly appreciate the live traffic info. I also found that you can tweak the cache in the settings, and this makes it load more of the information up front, and run smoother. What is great about this is that the GPS and mapping function essentially offer what the TeleNav service offers (barring a few features), without any monthly fee.

[virain]

Well a few things need to change..

a) when you want to get directions, u should be able to put in an actual address with street numbers, this is not allowed for some reason and u can only add cities... I don't understand that.... the way google maps works is what I'm talking about... the only reason I don't use google maps is because for some reason i get charged everytime I use google maps since it uses WAP and not GPRS (go figure).. if google maps wasn't only in java then I would use it.

b) There should be a people search integrated with yellowpages or something

c) when you press the center button to scroll u should be able to press back to scroll out too..

d) Closer images for Toronto in Canada (Toronto works fine on Google Maps)

If the Live team can take this program one step further in adding whitepages / people support including reverse phone lookup and all that sort of thing in an all in one application, I think it will be a more serious competitor to Google Maps and would actually offer more value, do you guys agree?

a) To get an address, just type it in a Search alone with a house number such as: 780 Park Av., New York, NY
It will find it without problems.
b) I don't know the need for people search, because even in White Pages it is not easy to find the right person, it is a one big mess. But to find a business is very easy just type in a search window the name of a business, for example: Tramp International.
c) When you pressing Center Button, You are right , it zooms in only, but you can zoom out using menu-> zoom out
d) I don't know about Toronto, but opening Areal view or a zoom in map is a very much a hasle using regular GPRS connection, may be it is easier using 3G...
Cheers :)

[baralong]

I'm impressed that it supports map searches and directions here in the antipodes (Perth, Western Australia) the category search doesn't work for here, but good so far.

I wonder about the bandwidth usage, so I'm only likely to use it in a WiFi hotspot. But still it's very good. Bandwidth depending, it's replaced Pocket Streets.

[Darius Wey]

By the way, the "Darius" on my screenshot at Geekzone is your handle...

Right, I noticed that. :)

[Darius Wey]

so is thisbreplacing virtual earth mobile? this appears to do everything it does and a few more things. perhaps virtual earth mobile was so popular that they decided to make it something more official?

It really appears to be virtual earth mobile with a nicer interface.

Virtual Earth Mobile was never an official Microsoft application. I think Live Search for Mobile will end up replacing it, because you're right, it does so much more.

[johnlynn]

Well a few things need to change..

a) when you want to get directions, u should be able to put in an actual address with street numbers, this is not allowed for some reason and u can only add cities... I don't understand that.... the way google maps works is what I'm talking about... the only reason I don't use google maps is because for some reason i get charged everytime I use google maps since it uses WAP and not GPRS (go figure).. if google maps wasn't only in java then I would use it.

b) There should be a people search integrated with yellowpages or something

c) when you press the center button to scroll u should be able to press back to scroll out too..

d) Closer images for Toronto in Canada (Toronto works fine on Google Maps)

If the Live team can take this program one step further in adding whitepages / people support including reverse phone lookup and all that sort of thing in an all in one application, I think it will be a more serious competitor to Google Maps and would actually offer more value, do you guys agree?

b) Have you tried searching for a person's name? :)

[yak86]

Running on TyTN. Works great for the most part. But when I try to search for an address, it keeps telling me to check my network connection? Anyone else having problems with actual addresses and not POI's?

[virain]

Running on TyTN. Works great for the most part. But when I try to search for an address, it keeps telling me to check my network connection? Anyone else having problems with actual addresses and not POI's?
Yes, you have to check your internet connection, and if it works, just close and restart program. It is not only, when you look for the address. There's something wrong with program connecting to its server

[thierryb]

Works well here with French addresses. A good successor to Virtual Earth. Can calculate route between two points, but not between gps position and an address. And obviously no way to use it to follow a route and recalculate in case of any problem. Found one wrong route calculation using a not already open highway (not before 18 months).

But a very interesting product, and free.

[Phillip Dyson]

The Windows native version looks very cool though. Since I don't have a GPS, I used it with Navizon (http://www.navizon.com), a virtual GPS using cellular and Wi-Fi triangulation, and it worked great: displayed my position on the map and displayed the traffic information in my area.


I have the Premium eval version on my TyTN but it wont do the phone triangulation. It only recognizes the wifi. Which I don't want to turn on at the moment.

[hyedipin]

It works great on T-Mobile SDA.

[dskeeles]

Running on TyTN. Works great for the most part. But when I try to search for an address, it keeps telling me to check my network connection? Anyone else having problems with actual addresses and not POI's?
Yes, you have to check your internet connection, and if it works, just close and restart program. It is not only, when you look for the address. There's something wrong with program connecting to its server

I found the same - at first it worked, and I was able to find London and scroll around the map, and then it started reporting connection errors intermittently. I guess there's still a few bugs to iron out.


[d]

[maikii]

Yes, pretty cool program. So far I have only used it for its traffic maps (can be very helpful where I live, in the Los Angeles area), and they are pretty good.

One suggestion though. It would be nice if one could set it so it automatically goes to a specific traffic map on startup. (Or is there now a way to do that, that I have not discovered? A registry tweak, perhaps?)

For instance, if one is driving, and gets stuck in a traffic jam, and wants to look at the travel map, now there are too many steps necessary to get there, to accomplish while driving. One has to start the program, go to the city one wants the map for, choose to show traffic, then zoom in to the part of the city one wants the map for, etc., etc. Way too many steps. It sure would be nice if one could set it so that all one has to do is start the program, and it will go right to the requested traffic map, without all those intermediate steps.

So for now, I find it more convenient to use Map4PDA or Virtual Earth Mobile, for traffic maps. They will remember where you were, and go right back to where you left off, when you restart the program. Windows Live Search has a nice traffic map implementation, except for the fact that it seems not to remember at all where you last were, and I see no way to set it to go right there on startup. (Yes I know, Google Mobile Maps also has traffic maps. But being a Java application, I find it far less convenient than the two Windows Mobile apps I mentioned.)

[yak86]

The Windows native version looks very cool though. Since I don't have a GPS, I used it with Navizon (http://www.navizon.com), a virtual GPS using cellular and Wi-Fi triangulation, and it worked great: displayed my position on the map and displayed the traffic information in my area.


I have the Premium eval version on my TyTN but it wont do the phone triangulation. It only recognizes the wifi. Which I don't want to turn on at the moment.

I believe Navizon is having problems with supporting the TyTN. Tried the same thing and got the same results as you. Check the Navizon forum for updates i guess.

[Phillip Dyson]

The Windows native version looks very cool though. Since I don't have a GPS, I used it with Navizon (http://www.navizon.com), a virtual GPS using cellular and Wi-Fi triangulation, and it worked great: displayed my position on the map and displayed the traffic information in my area.


I have the Premium eval version on my TyTN but it wont do the phone triangulation. It only recognizes the wifi. Which I don't want to turn on at the moment.

I believe Navizon is having problems with supporting the TyTN. Tried the same thing and got the same results as you. Check the Navizon forum for updates i guess.

Thanks for the reply.... I'll keep an eye out.