Google on Monday quickly responded to Microsoft MSN's Virtual Earth beta release with Google Hybrid maps, allowing users to see an aerial view of a location with superimposed road maps using Google Earth, reports CNET. "Can't decide between looking at a map of your house or a photo of your house? See both at once with Google Maps' new Hybrid mode, available in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Japan," Google's blog is reported as saying.

Google, Microsoft and Yahoo are hoping that developers will create applications to run on top of their mapping platforms to attract more consumers - and therefore advertisers.

To that end, Google and Yahoo have opened up their application programming interfaces.

The search providers are in a heated battle for the hearts and minds of the millions of web surfers. Local search has become intense area of competition.