New Windows Live Mobile Search Software Released

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/oct07/10-15OSBUpdatesPR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/...ress%20Releases</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Microsoft Corp. today announced the final updates to the fall release of its Live Search service, introducing a broad array of new services and features to its local and mobile search offerings. The new features and enhancements are designed to make it easier for people to find what they need at home or on the go through significant innovations in mapping, imagery and driving directions as well as new services to make the mobile search experience easy and powerful. Microsoft also announced the availability of the Live Search 411 service. Customers can gain toll-free* access by dialing (800) CALL-411 (800-225-5411) from any phone to find and connect to local businesses and other local information, such as weather updates, movie show times and airline information. People using a cell phone with Internet access can also receive links to traffic maps from Live Search 411."</i><br /><br />Window Live Search v.2.5 has been released, and it boasts a lot of new features, including "Innovative driving directions", "Innovative visualization and 3-D", "Innovative local content index including user-generated content", and "Virtual Earth platform updates" (boy, there sure is a lot of innovation going on with this app!). I haven't had a lot of time to play with this new version, but it's a great application - especially with the price tag of free. You can download it straight onto your device by going to <a href="http://wls.live.com">http://wls.live.com</a>. Check it out and tell us what you think!

[JonnoB]

The speech recognition built into the new Mobile Live Search is actually very useful and quite accurate I am finding. On my Kaiser with it's built in GPS, it has become a very important tool for me.

[hamishmacdonald]

Hm, the "Speech Recognition" option is greyed out for me, although I'm in the UK.

[van_mierlo]

This live search is greaaaat.... just say pizza and you know where to go for lunch use the gps and it gets you there.

And by the way it is a fast application

[fyyzer]

The new speech recognition (via their 411 service) is too cool. It would be nice if it would integrate somehow with MS Voice Command but perhaps that'll be added down the road.

Very impressed with this app and it's continued development!

[Jason Lee]

wow. this app is amazing. It just keeps getting better and better with each update.

[Darius Wey]

Hm, the "Speech Recognition" option is greyed out for me, although I'm in the UK.

It's US-only at this stage. Of course, you can always switch to "United States" in Settings; that said, it fails miserably with my Australian accent. Hope you have better luck. :lol:

[nosmohtac]

how do you get the 3d maps to show? I don't see an option for it anywhere.

[JonnoB]

how do you get the 3d maps to show? I don't see an option for it anywhere.

The 3D view is only for the internet version, not the mobile version. The mobile specific enhancements are access from Blackberry devices (no affect on Windows Mobile users), Live Search 411 (phone access - not specific to Windows Mobile) and voice input (this is the coolest part of the update specific for Windows Mobile users). Read the press release... it breaks down the updates that affect mobile users and those that are just enhancements to the internet service itself much of which has no impact on the Windows Mobile client.

[stoker]

Have used my Wifi to try this program out, and have it installed on my storage card. Shamed that it is for UK and US info only. I doubt if Canadians will ever see the light of day on this program having Canadian information. Tried installing this program on main memory, and that seemed to give me big problems with the Windows Live messenger search that I had on the main memory.
It certainly is a neat program to use. Voice recognition is quite good. Better brush up on your diction though!