A new application programming interface from Multimap (a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary) is designed to streamline the process of embedding Virtual Earth content into third-party websites. The Redmond company acquired Multimap in December 2007, and the immediate integration of the online mapping service focused on U.K. with virtual Earth. In this regard, Chris Pendleton, Virtual Earth Tech Evangelist, Microsoft Live Search, referred to the new API as the first significant announcement since the deal was finalized. The new API, namely the service associated with it, is offered for free via Multimap.

“We launched a new service for small businesses, personal websites and hobbyists this week,” Pendleton revealed. “The user gets a slippy map in a choice of map styles (TeleAtlas, Ordnance Survey and Barts) or aerial for anywhere in the world (US included, using VE maps and aerial). The pasted HTML includes four hyperlinks back to Multimap.com: see this location on Multimap (for a bigger map, POI, business listings, etc); see this location in Birds Eye; get directions to this location; get directions from this location; the service is limited to 50,000 transactions per year (which we track) and cannot be used for internal apps (eg BI, CRM).”

After choosing a specific location around the world, users can link to it via a Multimap map. Multimap will provide nothing more than a single line of HTML designed to be integrated into a webpage. The API permits a certain degree of customization, albeit rather limited. At the same time, although the service is available worldwide, mapping information and imagery from Multimap is not.

“To be clear, we're not splintering our efforts here, just complimenting them. We realize Multimap has an extensive data set and Virtual Earth has benefits that could help Multimap customers. If you see something you like, use the platform that has what you need,” Pendleton added.


View map of Overlake on Multimap.com
Birds Eye view of Overlake on Multimap.com
Get directions to or from Overlake on Multimap.com.