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Microsoft has introduced a new version of MSN City Guides in a move the company calls "one step in a long term plan to help users stay in the know wherever they are."

The new MSN City Guides makes ample use of Live Search and Live Search Maps as well as video and social media. Users can share information through Windows Live and Facebook. Microsoft says this makes event organization easy.

"With Live Search and Live Search Maps integrated into the new experience, making a decision about what to do and where to go just got a lot easier," says a post from the Lives Search Team.

Local search results from Live Search are integrated throughout the site. This applies to all ZIP codes within the United States at this point.

"Filtering capabilities will help make it easier to decide where to go based on your chosen criteria," says Microsoft. "For example, type in 'baseball' as an event search and you can sort by relevance, date, type, or within a certain mile radius."

Businesses should pay special attention to MSN City Guides because users can find local business listings with easy links to Live Search Maps and one-click directions.