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Getting Started with Bing Maps

Bing Services

To start developing with Bing Maps, choose the API(s) that is most appropriate for your platform and needs.

If you are looking to simply add a map to your web page, you can get HTML to embed a map (both static or interactive) at http://www.bing.com/maps by creating the map you want and clicking Share.

Choose your Bing Maps API

Bing Maps APIs include a set of map controls that you can use to add interactive maps your applications and a set of services that provide mapping and spatial capabilities such as geocoding, route data and spatial data storage and queries. Use the following tables to determine the API(s) to use to start developing with Bing Maps APIs. Then follow the links to the documentation to get started.

Once you’ve chosen a Bing Maps API, you will need to sign up for a free Bing Maps Account and a get a Bing Maps Key.

For news and support, read the Bing Maps Blog and view the Bing Maps Forums.

Bing Maps APIs by Platform: Find the Bing Maps APIs that apply to your platform.

Bing Maps APIs by Feature: Discover the features provided by each Bing Maps API.

API Descriptions: Read a short description for each Bing Maps API.

Bing Maps APIs by Platform

Find the Bing Maps APIs for your platform.

Platform\Bing Maps API	AJAX v7 JavaScript Control (also for Windows Store JavaScript apps)	Windows Store Control (C#, VB, and C++)	REST Services	Spatial Data Services	Silverlight Control	Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Control	MapPoint	Maps Control for WP8*
Windows Store	docs	docs	docs	docs
Windows Phone 8	docs		docs	docs				docs
Windows Phone 7	docs		docs	docs	docs
Website	docs		docs	docs	docs
iOS	docs		docs	docs	docs
Android	docs		docs	docs
BlackBerry	docs		docs	docs
Windows Desktop (Windows 8 and earlier)			docs	docs	docs	docs	docs

* The Maps Control for Windows Phone 8 does not use Bing Maps.

Bing Maps APIs by Feature

View the main features for each Bing Maps API.

Feature\Bing Maps API	AJAX v7 JavaScript Control (also for Windows Store JavaScript apps)	Windows Store Control (C#, VB, and C++)	REST Services	Spatial Data Services	Silverlight Control	Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Control	SOAP Services**
GEOCODING Geocoding Coverage
*Forward Geocoding* - Get latitude and longitude coordinates for a location by specifying values such as locality, postal code, street address, or an address query string.	docs		docs				docs**
*Reverse Geocoding* - Get location information, such as address data, associated with latitude and longitude coordinates.	docs		docs				docs**
*Batch Geocoding* - Perform batch forward geocoding and reverse geocoding of up to 200,000 records at one time.				docs
*Elevation Data* - Get elevations for one or more locations, a polyline path, or geographical region.			docs
DIRECTIONS Routing Coverage
*Travel Directions* - Create a route with step-by-step instructions between two or more locations.	docs		docs				docs**
*Transit Directions* - Create a route using public transit with step-by-step instructions. Transit Coverage	docs		docs
*Calculate Routes from Major Roads* - Create driving routes to a location from major roads in four directions (North, South, East and West).			docs				docs**
*Landmark Hints* - Create turn-by-turn directions that feature familiar landmarks by name, such as gas stations and fast-food restaurants. (United States and Canada only)	docs		docs				docs**
SEARCH
*Local Business Search* - Search business listings by using queries such as 'coffeeshops near Seattle, WA', or 'Starbucks'	docs						docs**
*Point of Interest (POI) Search* - Search millions of POIs based on category code, proximity and other filterable attributes.				docs
*Custom POI Data Sources* - Host custom location data in the cloud, and query the data based on proximity, area, and other filterable attributes.				docs
IMAGERY
*Aerial* - Display rich aerial ortho photography images of land and building objects.	docs	docs	docs		docs	docs	docs
*Bird's Eye* - Display locations from a high-resolution 45-degree perspective with rich oblique photographic docs. (Available in many metropolitan areas. Not docs for government customers.)	docs	docs					docs
*Enhanced Bird's Eye* - Display locations from a 45-degree oblique perspective with rich synthesized docs, and experience smooth zooming and panning across docs types .	docs	docs
*Ordnance Survey* - Display locations in Great Britian using Ordnance Survey map docs.	docs		docs
*Collins Bart -* Display locations in Great Britain using Collins Bart map docs.	docs		docs
*Traffic Flow* - Display traffic flow and traffic incident data. Traffic Coverage	docs	docs	docs				docs
*Venue Maps* - Display the interior layout of venues such as malls, airport terminals, stadiums and more, with interactive floor plans across multiple floors.	docs	docs
OTHER MAP FEATURES
*Traffic Incidents* - Get traffic incidents by geographic area, type, and severity. Traffic Coverage	docs		docs	docs
*Pushpins* - Add pushpins to visualize locations.	docs	docs	docs		docs	docs	docs**
*Shapes and Shape Layers* - Customize pushpins, polylines, polygons, line colors and widths, and transparencies of shapes, as well as add custom icons. Shape-management capabilities allow grouping of pushpins, polylines, and polygons, and the ability to show or hide a group of shapes, as well as make changes to individual shapes.	docs	docs			docs	docs
*Complex Polygons* - Display normal polygons, multi-polygons, polygons with holes, or combinations of polygons as single entities.	docs
*Custom Tile Layers* - Add and manage tile layers with varying opacity. This allows integration of GIS and other data as a map overlay.	docs	docs			docs	docs
*Keyboard and Mouse Events* - Override almost any default keyboard or mouse event.	docs	docs			docs	docs
*Touch Support* - Enable touch-based navigation, and capture touch events.	docs	docs				docs
*Customizable Navigation Controls* - Control how users interact with the map by customizing the layout of the navigation controls.	docs
LOCALIZATION SUPPORT
*Geocoding* - Get address data and place names in multiple languages.	docs docs (Windows Store only)		docs	docs			docs**
*Driving Directions* - Create step-by-step instructions in multiple languages.	docs docs (Windows Store only)		docs				docs**
*Map Labels* - Display map labels in multiple languages.	docs docs (Windows Store only)	docs	docs		docs	docs	docs**
*Map Navigation Dashboard* - Display dashboard labels in multiple languages.	docs

**REST Services are our most current services and are recommended over SOAP Services except when you require Search capability.

API Descriptions

Bing Maps AJAX Control, Version 7.0	The Bing Maps AJAX Control, Version 7.0 is the latest Bing Maps Java Script API. Combine the AJAX map control with the Bing Maps REST Services and the Bing Spatial Data Services to create powerful Web sites and mobile applications with the latest imagery and location functionality. An interactive SDK for Bing Maps AJAX Control 7.0 is at http://www.bingmapsportal.com/isdk/ajaxv7.
Bing Maps for Windows Store apps	The Bing Maps for Windows Store apps incorporates the latest road maps, aerial views, and low-angle high-resolution images into Windows Store apps.
Bing Maps REST Services	The Bing Maps REST Services uses REST URLs to perform tasks such as creating a map with pushpins, geocoding an address, retrieving imagery metadata or calculating a route.
Bing Spatial Data Services	The Bing Spatial Data Services uses REST URLs to geocode and reverse-geocode large sets of spatial data and to create and query data sources. A data source contains sets of data for a user-defined entity type that has a spatial component. For example you can create a data source for a set of stores and then query this data source to find stores near a location.
Bing Maps Silverlight Control	The Bing Maps Silverlight Control combines the power of Silverlight and Bing Maps to create an immersive mapping experience. You can find the Interactive Silverlight SDK at http://www.microsoft.com/maps/isdk/silverlight.
Bing Maps WPF Control	The Bing Maps WPF Control SDK lets developers integrate Bing Maps into rich Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications. Using a software + services approach, the Bing Maps WPF Control retrieves the latest Bing Maps imagery for your WPF application using Bing’s cloud-based architecture. The Bing Maps WPF Control SDK also supports Microsoft Surface touch interface for creating rich touch-enabled applications. To start using the Bing Maps WPF Control, download the Bing Maps Windows Presentation Foundation Control SDK.
Bing Maps SOAP Services	Note: The Bing Maps REST Services are our most current services and are recommended over SOAP Services except when you require Search capability. The Bing Maps SOAP Services is a set of programmable SOAP services that allow you to integrate maps and imagery, driving directions, distance calculations, and other location intelligence into your applications, business processes, and Web sites.
Bing Map App SDK Beta	The Bing Map App SDK Beta contains the binaries, documentation, and sample projects for the Bing Map App API. This SDK allows you to develop your own map apps as well as public “pluggable” functionality that can be used by others. Map apps allow users to explore and find information and then display results on a map. Map apps can be uploaded and showcased on the Bing map apps page.

News and Resources

To keep up to date with the latest Bing Maps news, read the Bing Maps Developer Blog. For help from the Bing Maps community, use the Bing Maps Forums.

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