Microsoft Live Search Maps will today begin offering three-dimensional, photo-realistic views of New York City buildings and landscapes, with perspectives that few people - apart from Superman - have ever seen. The free online service will provide a unique look at many of New York's iconic locations, along with local listings, ratings and reviews and driving directions to help people easily find, discover, plan and share relevant location information that is important to them on the Web.

The 3-D imagery of New York City will debut along with similar aerial perspectives of several other Canadian, U.K. and U.S. cities, with many more cities worldwide expected to be available by the end of summer. The Live Search Maps 3-D New York cityscape provides the following:

• Landmarks, locations. Aerial views of Times Square, Central Park, Wall Street, Rockefeller Plaza and dozens of other famous spots
• Business listings. Yellow Pages listings, location and contact information, consumer ratings and reviews for New York City businesses
• Maps and driving directions. Real-time traffic incident and driving directions incorporated into maps
• Custom Collections. Custom maps and lists of places that people can create for their own use or to share with others

In addition, Microsoft will launch 3-D cityscapes of the following:

- Austin, Texas
- Cape Coral, Fla.
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Indianapolis, Ind., including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Northampton, England
- Ottawa
- Savannah, Ga.
- Tampa, Fla.

Where: Live Search Maps, maps.live.com
When: New maps will appear throughout the day on May 29.