This was just too neat not to post. I can hardly wait for the mobile version of this tool so I can run it on my phone.
When you use an online mapping solution, which one do you use? MapQuest, Google Maps, or Microsoft's Local.Live? In my opinion, each has their own pluses and minuses. MapQuest has by far the most boring site, but their data seems to be more complete (ex. only MapQuest knows where the street I live on is, despite the street appearing in ariel photographs). Google Maps was first to the web with the smooth javascripty draggable map and when you print out the directions, they're easy to read, but you can really only search for one place at a time. Microsoft's innovation to the javascripty draggable map is the pushpin concept, allowing you to mark multiple searches and navigate between them.
What I wanted to mention here was a feature I just noticed on Local.Live - the ability to have the website connect your phone to the search results. For example - if I search for a Pizza Hut close to the Microsoft offices, I'll get results like this. Notice the Call for Free link:
If you hit that Call for Free link, you get a dialog where you put in your phone number and the website will call your phone, then connect you to the phone number associated with the search result (in this case, Pizza Hut). You're phone will ring, you'll hear a little voice say "Connecting" and the phone will start to ring at the other end. Super cool!
Google Maps does offer something similar, but their version of Send to Phone actually sends an SMS message to your cellphone. This, in my opinion, is less useful. Although it does preserve the number for you if you need to call them again. See - that's a tip I'd give to MS - have the Local.Live service show the destination phone number in your call list so you can call them back if you need to.