Mapping service plays catch-up with Microsoft and Google

Yahoo has added satellite images to the beta of its forthcoming, redesigned map service.

The move allows Yahoo! to catch up with competing mapping services from Google and Microsoft, both of which already offer satellite images as part of their online services.

The Yahoo maps beta was first unveiled last November. The company did not disclose a projected launch date.

Yahoo has added a feature for motorists that lets them create a route with multiple stops. The current version only gives point-to-point directions.

The satellite images also will be a available to developers through APIs that allow developers to create software that integrates with the service. The portal provider also has added a feature that allows less technically skilled developers to use an Excel plug-in to create a webpage by integrating information from a spreadsheet.

Yahoo also has launched a final version of its FareChase travel tool that lets users search for flight fares or hotel rooms on a number of services ranging from airline websites to travel agencies.

The company already offers travel services on its travel.yahoo page through a partnership with the Travelocity online travel service.