Who Has the Most Current Online Maps: Google, Bing or Yahoo?

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During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., I discovered that the reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the National World War II Memorial had lost a bit of its luster. From inside the Lincoln Memorial, my gaze at the National Mall was interrupted by fencing, heavy equipment, and an empty pool.

However, an aerial view of Washington, D.C. from Google Maps provided no hint of the ongoing construction. So, based on some online research, I wanted to determine when the aerial photo used by Google was taken, as well as whether Google, Microsoft/Bing or Yahoo offered the most up-to-date maps.

On the ground, the progress was evident. The reflecting pool was inaccessible to tourists, and the new pool was under construction.

However, on Google Maps, the reflecting pool was still intact.

Recovery.gov stated that the Department of Interior awarded Corman Construction, Inc. a 32 million dollar contract on August 19, 2010 for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Rehabilitation. The rehabilitation began in November 2010. So, the satellite view from Google maybe at least 18 months old.

In contrast, the aerial map provided by Bing shows an empty reflecting pool as well as an adjacent construction site.

The map by Yahoo is even more dated than the one from Google.

Not only is the reflecting pool intact, the site along the bend of the tidal basin, where the new Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial is located, is completely undisturbed.

The MLK memorial as it currently appears:

In Google Maps, the base of the statue is visible.

In Bing, the progress is more advanced with the statue in place, as well as some landscaping work already completed.

Fortunately, the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial website has aerial construction photos. So, the Yahoo photo pre-dates March 2010 when the site was cleared of foliage. The Google Maps satellite photo was probably taken between October 2010 and November 2010, based on the when the base of the Mountain of Despair and the Stone of Hope were installed. The Bing photo was taken as early as April 2011, based on the landscaping around the memorial.

One item to note about Bing. Apparently, Bing displays its maps from different sources based on the degree of magnification. At the highest level of magnification, the construction site suddenly reverts to a verdant park, not too different from what Yahoo offers.

So, despite the focus on offering the most current information, the mapping data from Google, Bing and Yahoo can be stale–months or even years old. Just something to keep in mind when you are consulting your favorite online maps for directions.


Posted in: Technology

5 responses to “Who Has the Most Current Online Maps: Google, Bing or Yahoo?”

  1. Anonymous says:

    The most updated map really depends on the location. Google could be most updated in Californian, and Bing could be the most updated in Missouri. Also, Bing’s Bird’s Eye View may not be as updated as their aerial view, and Google Earth may have more updated views than Google Maps.

  2. Park Broom says:

    lol you basing this on one aerial view. what a joke

  3. Mike says:

    Nokia Maps is the best!

  4. incotrust says:

    yeah!! i agree with cherie that the most updated maps are really depends on the location.. ofcourse all search engines have updated maps but my fav. is google.

    Seychelles IBC
     

  5. Dave Moffat says:

    Ah, ha, ha, ha! I live in Va Beach, VA and a road (Nimo Parkway) is almost finished through an un-developed area. Google maps shows an almost completed road. Bing; total wilderness, not even construction.