Geocloud: Bing Maps API Reviewed

This is the second part in a series of articles from Georelated providing a summary of some of the major cloud mapping services, their capabilities and key differentiators. This article will examine Microsoft Bing Maps API. In the first part of the series Georelated examined Google Maps API v3. The articles are aimed at a technical audience of architects or developers. Bing Maps is Microsofts cloud mapping service API. Bing Maps was originally launched in 2005 as MSN Virtual Earth and has seen many different names since this time (Live Search Maps, Windows Live Maps, Windows Live Local, and MSN Virtual Earth). 

Geocloud: Google Maps API Reviewed

There are many cloud web map APIs available to embed mapping directly into a web application or web site. Services are available from Google Maps, Bing Maps, ESRI ArcGIS Online, MapQuest and many smaller vendors such as GIS Cloud. This is the first in a series of articles from Georelated providing a summary of some of the major cloud services, their capabilities and key differentiators. The articles are aimed at a technical audience of architects or developers.

This article examines Google Maps API. Google Maps API v3 provides a Javascript and Flash RIA controls,  web services and embeddable Google Earth. It supplies base mapping and geocoding data within the service.