My personal opinion, is that everyone's getting this relatively wrong. Google is going quickly in a certain direction - while Microsoft is retaining a characteristic path (though doing a decent job of making it look like they're in the same direction).

Microsoft just released the new TOU for their maps and VE applications - that will now charge users who go over the allowed chache, a per tile fee. (Users will be required to contact Microsoft for an Enterprise license.)

So - fitting that in with Microsoft's general play of Enterprising solutions for their entry-point? What does this all mean? To me, it means more support flowing toward Google at the end of the day. Microsoft will only retain their Enterprise support, unless they radically change their approach to this space.

In conclusion - I can't see how anyone can readily equate one to the other at this point - especially when you look at the radically different dynamics between who provides an accessible horizontal base to launch vertical opporunities from.

That is not to say that there isn't still time - but I just don't see the similarities anymore, and although I did have higher hopes that MS would break out of their vertical-niche shell when VE came about.

The competitive atmosphere they're providing though is still kinda fun, I think. And I think they're doing some pretty cool things too.