Microsoft Live Local (was Virtual Earth) to Go Live Later Today

We’ve yet to be briefed on the new version, but Media Post reports that newly named Live Local will roll out later today according to those already in the know.

The article includes this confusing statement:

Microsoft Windows Live Local, powered by Virtual Earth, will allow users to open a satellite-based map image of a city and a bird’s-eye view of specific buildings—all in a single screen. Rather than relying on satellites to capture images from the sky a la Google Earth, Microsoft’s new service is using low-flying airplanes to capture its images.

So, is the Microsoft offering satellite-based or not? Microsoft has signed on ORBIMAGE and HARRIS to provide satellite imagery, but it’s not clear that will go live today. Google Earth includes both satellite imagery (from DigitalGlobe and EarthSat) and aerial imagery from a variety of sources.