Today we are announcing the availability of the Bing Maps SDKs for Windows Store apps. These SDKs will allow you to bring the power of Bing Maps to your Windows Store apps with support for C#, C++, Visual Basic and JavaScript based applications.
Please be aware that this release is the only version (1.1.20120927.0) of Bing Maps which will be supported for apps submitted to the Windows Store. If you are running any prior version (or BETA) you must upgrade and rebuild your app with this build to pass the Windows app Certification Kit (WACK) process. This process is required to submit all apps to the store and checks for the latest version of all dependencies to be approved. In most cases this should be as easy as downloading the latest version of the Bing Maps for Windows Store Apps API and recompiling your app.
Depending on the type of application you want to build and how you intend to use maps, we offer two options:
Bing Maps for JavaScript
For those of you familiar with our AJAX web control, building apps with the JavaScript SDK should be a snap. There are a few differences in how you load modules locally and some restrictions in certain markets but otherwise it has the same features and functionality as its web counterpart. With some tweaks, you should be able to port over your existing web experience using maps into the Windows Store and its rapidly growing user base.
If you’re new to Bing Maps, you can head over to our iSDK site which allows you to test drive the APIs and get a feel for how the web control works for Windows Store apps as well.
Bing Maps for C#, C++, and Visual Basic
Our ‘Native’ SDK is our first SDK specifically targeting application developers that takes advantage of the Windows Application Store environment. In this release, we provide the basic functionality to get maps integrated into your app. Specific to this version; we added support for pushpins/polylines/polygons, landmarks, venue maps, traffic and Synth view map style. You can still use the Bing Maps REST services to add additional functionality such as search and driving directions. And with our own client renderer, the SDK takes advantage of the Windows 8 platform to provide an amazingly smooth and responsive map experience on x86, x64 or ARM platforms.
New Keys and Terms of Use
Along with this release, we have created a new Bing Maps key type called ‘Windows Store app.’ You should use this key type when building new apps with the Bing Maps for Windows Store Apps API. You can get a new Bing Maps key over at our Bing Maps Account Center. If you created a ‘Windows Metro style app (BETA)’ key that was converted to a Windows Store app Trial key, your key will expire on Jan 15th, 2013 If you already have a non-trial ‘Windows Metro style app’ key, these will automatically be switched over to the new name. Keep in mind that all Trial Windows Store App Keys created after July 26th 2012 are hardcoded and will expire after 90 days. If your application meets the requirements for limited free use (please read our governing TOU), you should get a Basic Windows Store App Key. Check out Chris Pendleton’s blog about the new Bing Maps key changes. While most applications using the Windows Store app environment will use the new basic key for Windows App Store an Enterprise key will be required if you’re building an app that is not available to consumers or doesn’t meet the requirements for limited free use. An Enterprise key also requires a valid separately executed Bing Maps agreement – please read through our TOU for more information.
Links
Below are some useful links to get more information and provide feedback:
- Bing Maps Account Center– http://www.bingmapsportal.com
- Bing Maps forum -- http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/bingmapswindows8/threads
- Feature voting site -- http://bingmapssdk.uservoice.com
- Windows app development -- http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps
- JavaScript MSDN documentation -- http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh852186.aspx
- ‘Native’ MSDN documentation -- http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh855146.aspx
Jamie Lang
Senior Program Manager
Microsoft Corporation : Bing Map Controls