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    Danny Mavromatis
  • 18 years ago
    • Categories: Cell Phones

Windows Live Search for Mobile BETA — Amazing!

Last night I installed the Windows Live Search for Mobile BETA (enter http://wls.live.com from your Smartphone or J2ME device to install client) on my HTC Wizard (8125) and today on my way to get an oil change I decided to test out its usability. The steps are very simple…

1) Enter the business name and the location near you.
main screen with search

2) Results display quickly. Select business.
search results

3) The next screen gives you the option to call, get directions To or From the location, as well as search the nearby area. I chose “Directions To Here”.

selection

4) Start location and end location are prepopulated (I haven’t tested a GPS unit with this yet, but I expect it to prepopulate the start with the current GPS data).

drive to

5) Route Summary (with live updates if GPS is available)

directions

6) And now for my favorite feature! Map with REAL-TIME traffic status! WOW!

map with real time traffic

I’m also a big fan of the Categories search. If you feel like Greek food, it will list all the restaurants near your location. I’m very impressed with the speed and ease of use. Kudos to the team over at Microsoft that wrote this great piece of software. It blows away the Google Maps (J2ME) application I used before this.

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Danny Mavromatis: Seattle, WA

View Comments (10)

  • Yes, I agree. Really cool app indeed.
    For those who don't have a GPS (like me), I recommend to use it with navizon, a software that will simulate a virtual GPS on your phone.
    I tried the Java version and couldn't get it to work though :-(

  • Yes, I agree. Really cool app indeed.
    For those who don't have a GPS (like me), I recommend to use it with navizon, a software that will simulate a virtual GPS on your phone.
    I tried the Java version and couldn't get it to work though :-(

  • I installed the Live Search app on my 8525 and it works great. Google Maps actually doesn't work on my device and this more than replaces it.
    I'll test the GPS functionality after Christmas (when I get to unwrap one). :)
    I'm curious how it compares to Telenav. The talking directions feature is really cool and useful.

  • I installed the Live Search app on my 8525 and it works great. Google Maps actually doesn't work on my device and this more than replaces it.
    I'll test the GPS functionality after Christmas (when I get to unwrap one). :)
    I'm curious how it compares to Telenav. The talking directions feature is really cool and useful.

  • I'm using MSN TV2 since my WEBTV got clobbered by lightning on the telephone line. I'm not impressed with this MSN TV2, partly because I can't use HTML on it.

  • I'm using MSN TV2 since my WEBTV got clobbered by lightning on the telephone line. I'm not impressed with this MSN TV2, partly because I can't use HTML on it.

  • Just curious...
    You say you got route updates when using it with a GPS...this was NOT true for me. And according to MS employees I discussed this with, not true for them either...

  • Just curious...
    You say you got route updates when using it with a GPS...this was NOT true for me. And according to MS employees I discussed this with, not true for them either...

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