Yahoo! announced a new beta version of their mapping software today that's aimed to making it easier for users to find their way around a local area and to locate businesses nearby. Yahoo! Maps Beta also works with the Yahoo! Developer Network to allow third party vendors to create mash-ups of their own.

A variety of new features include:

• Instantly move around the map - a smaller window within the map makes it easy for users to pan and scan throughout the map and then quickly recenter to their original location.



• Get directions with stops included - rather than simply mapping from point A to point B, the new Yahoo! maps allows you to include stopping points along the way.



• Integrated traffic information - Yahoo!'s traffic data is integrated into the map using a color coded system that shows how quickly traffic is moving.



• Search locally - Yahoo!'s local business database is closely integrated with the map to allow users to locate restaurants, grocery stores, Dr's offices or any other business in the area. Users search for a business type in a search box and Yahoo! provides a numbered list that matches up to markers on the map. Rolling a mouse over the business name or the number on the map pops up an easy access window to more information, directions, or user reviews.



• Narrow results by rating - Users can quickly sort through business listings based on ratings and reviews assigned by other Yahoo members. Looking for Yahoo! users favorite chinese take-out within five miles of you? This is the tool that will let you do it.



• Create an address book - By saving addresses or business listings to a personal address book, users can quickly look up directions to their favorite spots.



• Drag and drop addresses - See a spot marked on the map that you'd like to go check out? Just drag and drop it to the map bar and Yahoo! will automatically create directions to the spot.

Overall, it's a nice looking update. If Yahoo! would add a satellite feature to the mix that rivaled Google's, I think I'd be switching over to their mapping service. For now, I'll have to keep going back and forth between the two.