Bing Maps lags Google Maps in market share. However, Microsoft has worked hard to catch up.
Bing Maps
Quentin Hardy of Forbes Magazine recently featured some very clever and original work by Bing in his article about the Global Ortho Project. The project goal is to create
a uniform, detailed map of the Continental United States and 17 countries in Western and Central Europe
Microsoft’s focus in investing so heavily in mapping services may be for the enterprise market. Mr. Hardy notes that Google has just announced a cloud based mapping service for business.
By air not by sea
Nor by land.
Google Maps is known for its street view feature and use of land-based vehicles for mapping (among other things). In contrast, Bing Maps is approaching by air. The Global Ortho Project uses high-resolution cameras to fly over and capture images. It is the culmination of a long-term effort to automate and improve aerial imagery mapping techniques.
The Global Ortho Project is based on innovative and original technology. Bing might match or even surpass competitors in creating high quality photographic maps.
In the Googleplex 
All comments welcomed! Less enthusiastic about spam though.