Microsoft has launched an update to the Bing Maps interface today aimed at improving readability and aesthetics.

The new interface uses cool colors, which Bing says creates a more visually appealing backdrop, helping content "pop" on the map, and provides clear differentiation for pushpins, labels, and traffic overlays.

There are new labels with larger fonts for major streets. This eliminates the need for bolding, and less attractive glows while allowing users to quickly find locations in a relevant format, Bing says.

The new interface also comes with improved international coverage. There is improved road and street data across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and Asia.

Finally, Bing Maps has launched Dynamic Labels in beta, which allow users to quickly zoom to a region or location on the map with just a few clicks, making it easier to identify and explore areas or neighborhoods of a city. These labels can be turned on from the map style selector on bing.com/maps/explore.

As reported earlier, Bing now offers an app for OpenStreetMap, a Wikipedia-style community-driven mapping interface.