Despite not strictly being a gadget as such we couldn't help but mention Microsoft's new Windows Live Local website, which looks set to provide Google Maps with a real rival, thanks in part to some impressive Birds Eye views on the world.


Windows Live Local - view of Times Square, New York


The site is part of the recently-announced Windows Live system and offers not only road maps and aerial satellite style views, but also multi-directional "birds eye views" of selected locations, giving you the feeling of actually being there, flying over a number of American cities in an aeroplane.

Currently the Beta is limited to just a few major locations for the Birds Eye photographic views, such as Times Square, New York, and the option to view more than just the standard mapping seems to rely very much on which web browser you're using - no surprise really that you'll find it works best in the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer.