Windows Mobile Louisville

Back in mid-May, we posted that Live Search was updated, and we highlighted the obvious new features such as Weather, Collections and Web Search, but since then, I happened upon something else they added which is really cool: integration into the Contacts menu.

Previously, this was something that only Google Maps “inserted” into the Contacts menu, and I found it very handy (though it would error sometimes because it would try to find an address including the Country/Region).  Live Search is now offering the same addition to the menu - Show On Map.  So far, on every contact I have tried, it works flawlessly, so apparently Live Search is looking at the contact info correctly, whereas Google Maps occasionally errs…

I am very excited about this find, as it adds a feature that I thought was lacking in Live Search.   Previously, I had both Google Maps and Live Search installed,  so I could have the best of both apps.  Now I just have Live Search on my Mogul.

I hope one of the next things they address is the live navigation - it works nicely, but I wish they’d force the map to turn so where you’re heading is at the top of the screen. Currently, the map always stays with North on top, so if you have your device in a mount in your vehicle, the actual route you are seeing could be pointing in any direction, which is confusing.  It needs to resemble how other GPS’s display navigation, even if it’s only 2D and not 3D like so many GPS’s nowadays.

Live Search for Windows Mobile has been updated with some interesting new features, including weather, Web search and Collections (a place to save searches easily).  It’s also fully compatible with WM 6.1 now, and they’ve added Bluetooth support for spoken searches.  Another enhancement is the ability to delete recent locations.

If you already have WLS on your device, you will be prompted to update the app the next time you open it. Otherwise, if you haven’t experienced WLS, go get it here: http://wls.live.com

Along with the announcement about the new version of Windows Mobile, version 6.1, it was also announced that Live Search for Windows Mobile is going to be updated, too. The updates include mapping contacts, Virtual Earth integration, voice input, and weather.

The ability to map contacts means you can see the locations of those in your address book on a map so you are then able to easily get directions to that location.

The Virtual Earth integration will offer you the ability to make “map collections,” or custom maps that you or your friends create. The maps are made on your PC prior to viewing them in Live Search.

Additionally, weather will be added to Live Search, so you can see both the current conditions and the 4-day forecast.

The Windows Mobile update should be out this spring.

SOURCE: Sarah Perez over at on10.net