Windows Live Local refresh adds traffic reports

The Windows Live Local online mapping service received a refresh on Tuesday from Microsoft, offering features that make map and information sharing easier as well as traffic reports. The Washington outfit plans to extend its mapping service in the U.K. and Canada with other emerging markets in due time. This move sees Microsoft play catch up with Google and Yahoo! when it comes to offering appealing Web services. New features include creating lists of favorite locations within a map that can be shared with others via e-mail, blogs, or IM.