Google recently did it, and as the internet goes Yahoo followed right behind them when they released their update for their map system last night. This is a significant upgrade offering a cleaner and more functional interface that interracial the Yahoo Local Search.

At first glance you may think this is just another Google Maps, dig deeper because its way more. You get a default location on the map to start from which means you can save your home, work, wife's, or mistress' as your starting point for quick directions, or quick escape route. The drop down menu also stores recent addresses for quick access, which could be a positive or negative depending on if you happen to be hiding something or not.

The map also looks very similar to the Google versions but this one is flash based instead of the JavaScript and image combination that Google uses. While I like the drag and move functionality, this flash based system also allows easier integration for local search which I believe they have done very successfully. They also have an overlay screen with a slider to move your field of vision in and out of zoom. Can I get a collective "Yay" for no more of the click to zoom ways of the old Yahoo Maps and Mapquest.

The integrated local search feature is my favorite. Yahoo really nailed this feature not only with its ease of use but also the functionality. Here you can enter and address and expand the menu to the corresponding industry you are looking for ie Restaurants, gas stations, florists, bookstores etc. There is a whole list of selections and they will only show in your current field of vision. Another cool feature with this is you can get directions from point A to point B and then use the same menu to search for a business that's on your way. Talk about convenient. It's a great way to do things without having to type, great for those who keep their Pimp Juice in one hand and a mouse in the other. These avenues (pun intended) also lead me to believe that there will be new advertising space on Yahoo Maps, whether its pay per click, paid inclusion or straight sponsorship, there will be money made from this product, but its up to Yahoo on how.

Other features include, an automated updated URL (so no more "link to this page" link), a full set of Yahoo Map APIs, mobile phone ready, mapping overlays and more.

Once again Google throws the product out on the market, another company comes along and makes it better and more robust and the end result ends in a win for the consumers.

The folks over at Yahoo Search Blog were nice enough to let us know of the rankings update that is going to happen tonight. Tim Mayer of Yahoo Search mentions that the changes should be "mild and quick compared to recent ones but will impact the rankings of some sites."

I imagine it won't be anything drastic like the Google Jagger update we saw a week or so ago, but when these engines make an update there is no telling what can happen.

With over 200 million subscribers, and I'm sure none of those are just spam accounts, MSN's Hotmail is already one of the largest mail platforms in the world. It seems this just isn't enough for the boys with the butterflies, because the emergence of Gmail, Google's other successful venture, has awoken the sleeping giant. Ok, I'm sure Gate's and Co. had this in the works for a while but play along with me here. Gmail puts pressure on Hotmail, Hotmail comes back with something bigger and better to prove they are still the top dog.

Well, here it is. Code named Kahuna, MSN has rolled out it's beta preview of what everyone suspects to be the new Hotmail and let me tell you it's swell. At first glance it looks like your typical Outlook/Outlook Express mail client, which alone is impressive but it packs a punch too. Emulating how your mail client typically works Kahuna has your standard layout including the Today Page, which is similar to the Outlook intro page but currently is just used to pass on information to the beta testers.

I won't go into every detail of the layout because most of us have seen that style but some of the nice things I noticed were: the vertical layout as opposed to the horizontal outlook layout

easy to create folder, drag and drop functionality, and the magnifier glass icon, which is typical of MSN Search indicates a handy mail search function.



Kahuna is also more then a mail client, it also has packaged with it a contacts manager such as the one found in Outlook, and my favorite, an integrated calendar complete with those nifty reminders that help us remember our appointments and meetings. There is also a 'sharing' feature on the calendar which leads me to believe there will be some sort of integration with other online calendars and schedules on the web. Imagine being able to link into your favorite teams sports schedule or your daughters powder puff football schedule automatically, so you'll never miss a game or forget to pick her up again!

The layout is nice, the functionality is immaculate (for a beta), its fast, its easy and comes with 2gb of storage for free. And while I like Gmail's simple interface, I am really impressed with Hotmail's Beta and will seriously consider switching my email provider because the functionality is that much better.

Even the Google tidal wave can't knock off the Big Kahuna just yet!