Search, Search, Search... (1/3)
Microsoft Windows Live Search vs Google Maps Mobile
INTRODUCTION
One of the advantages of having an internet enabled mobile device is the ability to find businesses, addresses, and directions in real time where ever you are (data service and signal required!). With the right application, the Windows Mobile environment provides us with a rich environment to help easily perform these tasks. Microsoft and Google have developed Windows Mobile applications which provide search, mapping and routing functionality for free
. Read on to see how they compare to each other through five different scenarios; and we'll come up with a winner at the end!
SETUP
These application can be downloaded and installed using the Windows Mobile Pocket Internet Explorer. The Microsoft Windows Mobile Live Search application can be downloaded from wls.live.com. The Google Maps application can be downloaded from google.com/gmm. The Windows Mobile Live Search application can be installed on in program memory or on the storage card, while Google Maps application must be installed in program memory.
The current Windows Live Search (Windows Live Search) version is 2.5.2840.19676, and the Google Maps version is 1.2.0.18.
PRODUCT COMPARISON
The two products provides the same basic functionality. In order to compare them I came up with five scenarios which I frequently use. Each scenario will be graded for ease of use and quality of information returned, with the better program receiving one point. If I deem a scenario to be a tie, both programs will get one point.
1. Entering your current location
2. Search for a business (Carpet Man in Rockville, MD) and email results
3. Search for the closest Starbucks from my current location (no GPS) and display directions
4. Search for the nearest gas station from the Starbucks location
5. Search to see what movies are playing near the gas station
6. Search for a brewery near the movie theater
Scenario 1: Entering your current location
The entry of your current location is always a bit of chore, unless your are using a GPS. Windows Live Search has more entry options to help you narrow your location, while Google Maps expect some form of an address.
The location search returns you to the Home screen in Windows Live Search while Google Maps displays a map.
The Windows Live Search entry method is slightly easier, and the speech recognition gives it the edge even though the display of results on a map by Google Maps provide better feedback to the user.
Windows Live Search: +1 |
Scenario 2: Search for a business (Carpet Man in Rockville, MD) and email results
The Windows Live Search home screen allows you to enter the business name, while Google Maps map display forces an additional step by requiring the selection of the Find Nearby Business function on the menu to display the entry screen.
The Windows Live Search search returns a list, while Google Maps displays a map. The number of results in Google Maps is displayed at the bottom of the screen. You must zoom out to view all of them.
The Windows Live Search detail screens provides some options directly on the screen while the Google Maps detail screen forces the use of the options menu. Both application provide a link to send a text message but not an email. You must copy the details into an email message. Windows Live Search does make this task easier by providing a copy function on its menu, while the Google Maps display forces you to select the text, tap and hold to display the copy function.
The entry of a nearby business in Google Maps requires one extra step and common options on the Windows Live Search detail screens give Windows Live Search the edge in this scenario.
Windows Live Search: +1 |
Scenario 3: Search for the closest Starbucks from my current location (no GPS) and display directions
The Windows Live Search application always remembers your location, while Google Maps always searches from the last search location you selected. In this scenario when I searched for Starbucks, Google Maps found the closest location from the last search results which was Carpet Man in Rockville, MD. The Windows Live Search search for the nearest Starbucks returned a list of results close to the initial location I entered, Marymount University.
The Google Maps application forced me to re-establish my location before search for the nearest Starbucks.
The routing results for Windows Live Search provide the turn by turn directions, while Google Maps provides a summary.
The Windows Live Search displays the turn by turn directions at the bottom of the screen, while Google Maps uses bubbles. The direction directions are basically the same, however it is interesting to note that Windows Live Search and Google Maps use different exits off of the university's campus. Both application allow you to move forward a turn at time and also support GPS position tracking.
The applications take different approaches but provide similar functionality.
Windows Live Search: +1 |
