MSN, Google Update Map Services

MSN has updated its Maps and Directions service to add the ability to find businesses along a travel route, enable a user to cut and paste an address to search for, and the ability to directly link to a map from external Web sites. Google, meanwhile, updated its beta Maps offering to support Safari and Opera Web browsers.

Google Maps, which initially supported only IE and Mozilla browsers, offers detailed maps in the United States and Canada. MSN has focused on global coverage to outpace its new rival, adding 11 new countries. "This new functionality combined with existing favorite features...enables users to get driving directions more quickly and easily and find addresses and points-of-interest all around the globe," Microsoft spokesperson Chris Warfield told BetaNews.