Google Earth is a terrific product when it comes to flying around the globe, virtual fashion. However, it now has some serious competition – Windows Live Local.

Unlike Google Earth, there’s nothing to download and this free web-based program features fantastic aerial views of hundreds of locations all over the world where you can spin round buildings as though flying in a helicopter.

Live Local is useful for planning routes, writing online city guides, or just poking around in other people’s back gardens. Note that it’s still in beta (that is, not finished and so can behave erratically) but it’s a fascinating glimpse of the future of mapping.

Follow our workshop to plan routes and more with Local Live.