As of August 2007, the local search results for the German version of Live Search Maps have been delivered by t-info’s local search engine suchen.de. As accessible on suchen.de for a while, a free direct telephone call option on Live Search Maps has been introduced, as of the 21st February 2008 update to Live Search Maps. This function allows the user to connect directly using a landline, with a discovered undertaking or service provider. To do so, one clicks on the desired search result, with which a new window opens showing a detailed map view and address details. For those wanting immediate telephone contact with the party, all that is necessary is a click on the “Free call” button, and then to enter one’s own phone number (for a callback). In a Microsoft press statement, this service is available between 6am and 10pm (CET), and the length of conversation is limited to 30 minutes.

The Route Planner has also been upgraded: for the first time Microsoft has integrated a Microsoft Virtual Earth option in the German-language site. The Route Planner calculates either the fastest or shortest routes to the destination. Using this function, the user is able to print an optimized Print version of the route in question.

An additional use of this last function is for the planning of routes where the user can specify start and destination addresses, thus generating the route directly from the Map view. In this option, the name of the discovered firm is automatically included as the start or destination of the journey. One can alternatively mouse over the generated search locations on the map, and then click-select either “Route from…” or “Route to…”