Bing Maps AJAX Control 7.0 announced

Today on the Bing Maps Blog we announced the release of the new Bing™ Maps AJAX Control 7.0-our flagship for the desktop and mobile web. We built it from the ground up to be agile and fast, and it shows: at launch, the control is less than one-third the size of our previous AJAX Control 6.3 and renders multiple points nearly three times faster.*

And that is just the beginning.

Optimized for mobile web: The Bing Maps AJAX Control 7.0 also has been optimized for mobile browsing. With a small control download size, support for HTML4/5, and touch support for mobile devices, AJAX Control 7.0 is the ideal choice for you to reach customers browsing the mobile web.

New ways to visualize locations: Bing Maps AJAX Control 7.0 delivers our new, enhanced Bird’s eye.** With the same imagery that you love-45-degree perspective, viewable from all four compass directions-enhanced Bird’s eye includes seamless, smooth zooming at zoom levels we’ve never had before, life-like building models in urban centers, and 3-D-like terrain features. This new experience provides a powerful, highly useful perspective-so you get it all with Bing Maps.

New map style: Bing Maps has introduced a new "road" map style for all Bing Maps APIs; this includes updates to the labels displayed in "hybrid" road/imagery overlays. First introduced on www.bing.com/maps, the new map style has an updated look and feel and is designed for improved readability and map interaction with data overlays. Starting November 2010, Bing Maps customers have the opportunity to opt-in to the new map style for testing or production "go-live" scenarios. This opt-in period will end on April 30, 2011; starting May 1, 2011, the new map style will become the default and only style available across Bing mapping APIs.

Visit www.microsoft.com/maps, the Bing Maps Blog, Facebook, and Twitter for regular platform updates and information. And, read and sign up for the Bing Maps Newsletter.

_{*Results based on internal testing by the Bing Maps Technical Specialists team running Windows® Internet Explorer® 8 with 107 map points.
**Enhanced Bird’s eye available in many areas worldwide. Not available for government customers.}