Yahoo has updated their Map Service for Europe. Now it is also possible to modify routes via drag and drop, as you know it from Google Maps. They included also an function to revert back to the original route and compare route distances.
In my opinion the user interface in not as intuitive as in Google Maps. You cannot see the route changing while moving the cursor. You have also take care to drag your cursor near an road, otherwise you will not be able to find a solved route. With this update Yahoo tries to close the gap to Google, but if you look at details you can identify some flaws not to mention real innovation in case of performance or user interaction.
According to Mapperz following additional updates were identified:
In response to users feedback Yahoo made some major improvements to Yahoo Maps
- Faster loading time -No more waiting for the application to load - Dial-up mode removed
- Language preference – Choose from one of the 5 European languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish and German*.
- Interactive print page – Customize the print page to include only the information you need.
- Personalised routing – Don’t like the route yahoo provide drag and drop the routes interactively.
- Saved locations – For convenience, previously entered locations are automatically stored and available within Maps and elsewhere on Yahoo, such as Local and Weather.
- Quickly look up places through auto-completion.
- Waypoint support – Get driving directions for trips with multiple stops.
- Save driving directions – Two places to save, Yahoo! Bookmarks and delicious
- Zoom bar – now with the ‘+’ on top.
*Yahoo will be rolling out the same set of Maps improvements in Germany in the coming weeks.
[via Mapperz]
