Back in December, we rolled out the Bing Maps Preview app for Windows 8.1. The app introduced a new way to explore the world in glorious 3D, more personal features and a streamlined design to help you get more done. In the past 6 months, we have been listening to feedback from around the world and today we’re announcing major updates to both the Maps and the Bing Maps Preview app, available for download in the Windows Store (preview and map app.) You’ll see dozens of updates centered on helping you get more done in one integrated maps experience.

Let’s take a look.

The Bing Platform Makes Personalized Recommendations

Have you ever found yourself entering an address that you’ve looked up before? Have you ever wished your “favorites” on your work device were available on your home device? With the new auto-suggest feature, both apps leverage the intelligence of the Bing platform to provide you with a personalized experience which in turn helps you get more done. Now when you type into the search box, Bing displays your past searches for places and addresses as well as places you may have already saved as favorites. It also packs in recommendations for popular searches nearby and inline insights.

Because trustworthy recommendations are essential to planning a successful trip, we are partnering with the leading companies in the space – Yelp and TripAdvisor. These suggestions are custom-built for the apps, now you can see if a restaurant is worth going to, without leaving the experience.

Your Favorites Now Roam

If you’re like most people, you use multiple devices. With these updates you can create and manage the places and addresses that matter most to you across your Windows devices. Say, you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas. As you explore the stunning 3D imagery of the strip and save the places you want to visit as favorites, the app will automatically save that information to the cloud. For instance, you can save your hotel with a nickname ( e.g. “My Hotel”) These favorites will now automatically roam and sync with both your Bing Maps apps across your Windows devices. To turn on favorites roaming, simply go to settings and turn on “personalization.”

Cortana and Bing Map apps

On the soon to be released Windows Phone 8.1 update (US-only,) these saved favorites will also show up inside Cortana’s notebook under “Places”. So when you land in Las Vegas, all your favorites will be available on your Windows Phone.

Cortana, how long will it take to walk to My Hotel?

Search More Quickly

With the Bing Maps Preview app we have woven the search box directly into the map. Based on your feedback, we are now bringing the same experience to the Bing Maps app. Now the search box is always there when you need it.

You can search for a restaurant or store and get the route overlay to your destination all with a simple click. Just start typing and we’ll launch the search.

More Cities and New Ways to Explore 3D Maps

With this release, we’re making it even easier to explore the beautiful cities that we have lit up in three dimensions. Using the new Explore 3D pane & Featured 3D Cities carousel you can quickly dive into any of our 96 cities.

You can now explore the following cities:

1. Richmond, VA

2. Providence, RI

3. Austin, TX

4. Tucson, AZ

5. Jacksonville, FL

6. Lincoln, NE

7. Las Vegas, NV

8. Reno, NV

9. Daytona Beach, FL

We’re excited to share the updates so head out to the Windows Store and download the bits.

You can let us know what you think on Twitter (@Bing.)

– The Maps Team