Completely Redesigned Bing Maps Launched With Focus On Trip Planning

Microsoft today launched a completely redesigned Bing Maps experience which is currently available to users to opt-in for it, the company listened to a lot of user feedback when it set out to redesign Bing Maps and found that users would rather have a map experience that’s easy to use, fast and features visually rich data. The new Bing Maps for the web focuses more on trip planning than just routing from one destination to another.

It has been designed to allow users to search, view and share multiple places at one time as well as view trusted reviews and photos from partners like Yelp. Bing Maps will offer a rich set of visuals and information on the places users plan to visit so that it’s much easier for them to plan ahead.

In the new Bing Maps preview search results are organized into cards which are displayed at the left of the map. These cards allow multiple destinations in a single view and each card features information relevant to that destination. The new layout is touch-friendly and has been designed to be more intuitive.

With features like predictive routing users can plan their trips in advance and get estimated drive time, a new feature called Along the Route will surface places like gas stations, restaurants and hotels on the way to the destination allowing the user to easily find places they might want to stop at during the trip.

Users can save their most visited and most loved locations in My Places which syncs with Windows Maps as well as Cortana. Sharing travel plans is easier than ever as recipients get an email with a set of results cards which they can easily view on mobile or on desktop.

Based on user feedback Microsoft will continue improving and updating Bing Maps, those who want to opt-in can do so by heading over to www.bing.com/mapspreview.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Web
Tags: Bing (Microsoft), Microsoft