Ask.com recently launched their map and directions service. It’s obviously influenced by Google Maps, but with a few features that set it apart.

First, there’s the ability to enter in and manage multiple locations, something which is annoying to do with other map services. It seemlessly let’s you choose directions from any number of locations right in the left sidebar of the map. I find that Yahoo and Microsoft map services don’t allow such easy one click access to enter in multiple destinations.

Another thing that caught my eye is the ability to drag a location cursor around. Once you’ve settled on a spot, Ask will automatically calculate the new address. I can’t tell you how many times where I didn’t know the exact address, but I just needed directions to a general location or cross street. In Google maps, I have to begrudgingly search and type in an actual street address.

Finally, you can also play the instructions back to you (somewhat like the feature in Google Earth).

The response is quick, and is on par with Google, which makes it a great contendor. For complex queries, I might just switch over to Ask.

A few days ago, Ether launched with the promise to bring voice services to Web 2.0. A short paragraph about what they’re trying to do is:

What will the online services economy look like? If the past is any guide, people will use our tools to sell pretty much everything. Geeks will sell computer help from their dorm rooms for $20 per phone call. Specialty bloggers will sell in-depth reports for $50 per document. Nutritionists will counsel distant clients for $80 per 50-minute phone session. The web will come alive and aloud, with anyone who has something valuable to say able to sell it to the person in the world who most needs it right now.

At the surface, this sounds like a fantastic idea. I would love to be able to sell my expertise over the phone during a period of time that I choose. But, the more I think about it, the more it sounds implausible that people would have such a compelling reason to buy into this. Are there really nutritionists and carpenters who have a need to sell their expertise, let alone be savvy enough to leverage themselves to use Ether? There is a part of me that wants to say yes–but, realistically I think not. Most people don’t even have enough time to use their expertise in their trade of choice.

What would be better would be more like a Google Answers, but done over the telephone. The buyers (people who want the answers) would post questions, and the sellers would call them and get paid. I’ve always found Google Answers to be pretty limited since the medium is only plaintext. Experts could relay the answers much more quickly and effectively using a combination of voice and text.