http://www.internetnews.com/xSP/article.php/3507236

Earth-to-Virtual Earth

Microsoft has previewed a future MSN service called Virtual Earth that's designed to be a deeply immersive local search experience.

Users will be able to map a particular location and then search local listings for businesses nearby. Eventually, they'll be able to click on a listing and get more information about the business.

The MSN Virtual Earth announcement followed a preview of Google Earth last Friday. Google Earth will add a new global database and new data sources, such as NASA terrain maps and integrate with Google Local and Google Maps.

Amazon.com is building its own database of street-level photos of businesses as an enhancement to local search in its A9 search service.