The Bing Maps Platform team has partnered with AFComponents (AFC) to provide a Flash-based interface for building robust map applications. AFC has created a very robust SDK for creating your Flash-based Bing Maps applications. Supported through AFC, their Flash controls access Bing Maps in a supported fashion and fall inline with the Bing Maps TOUs. If you’re a commercial customer, you still require a commercial license; however, now you no longer have to wrap your own Flash control by accessing our tiles via the Bing Maps Web Service or reverse engineer our tiles schema and URI definitions directly to create your Flash control (a TOU violation!). AFC has you covered – you just need to access their SDK for overlaying data. And, yes, their service get’s Bird’s Eye images so if you love Bird’s Eye and need them in Flash you can get them! And to be clear, if you’re using Flash I really feel your pain with Silverlight just sitting there all ripe and shiny; but, hey, I’m just trying to make your life a little easier until you can convince those directive-pushers that Silverlight is the better option. All in due time.
Also, within the AFC APIs you can access Bing Maps geocoding, routing, POI Search, road maps, aerial maps, hybrid maps, traffic layers and Bird’s Eye photos. You pretty much get everything that’s in the Bing Maps Platform only it’s all made just for Flash developers…
Learn more about UMap features, pricing and licensing options here.
It is time to make your maps rock with UMapper’s new audio library! The new feature allows you to upload any number of MP3 tracks and simply drag them onto the map. Once added to the map, audio files turn into map markers with a slick player in the info window. Here is a quick video tutorial on how this works:
The audio functionality is available to all of your previously created maps as well as the new ones. Currently there is no limit on the number of audio tracks you can upload. Enjoy!
Explore the map below to the sound of Peter Nalitch:
As with every new release we look forward to your feedback.
Today we released an update of the entire UMap mashup family on AFC. If you have already purchased any of the mashups listed below, the new versions have been added to your account. The update includes the latest version of UMap 1.6.8 and several minor bug fixes. But the biggest news is the price update - all mapping mashups are now $45.00! Here is the list:
The new version of UMap API is here! The biggest features of this release is the integration with Bird’s Eye imagery and POI Search. In addition, we fixed several minor bugs (routing narrative, Bing Maps production urls) reported by our wonderful users.
Following up on the release of Bing Maps we are excited to announce that UMap is officially integrated with Bing mapping services. The integration includes Routing, Geocoding, POI Search Token Authentication and Bing-styled map controls. The UMap 1.6 makes it extremely easy to bring the richness of Bing Maps into your Flash and Flex applications. Try it out!
New Version of UMap API (coming soon)
The AFC / UMapper team is working hard on a new major release of UMap API which is scheduled for release sometime next month. The new version is tightly integrated with Bing Maps web services such as:
Bird’s Eye Imagery
Geocoding
Routing
POI Search
Keep an eye on this blog for more info.
Scores in GeoDart
You can now save your GeoDart scores and compare them to other players! The new functionality is available to all current and future games. In addition to scores, we integrated GeoDart with Twitter allowing you to tweet your score or the game itself. See GeoDart in action.
New! Image Library
Adding images to maps has gotten much easier with our new Image Library tool. The new tool allows you to upload images and simply drag and drop them over the map. Read the full release and see how to add images to your maps.
New version of UMapper WordPress Plugin
We are excited to announce the release of a major upgrade to the UMapper WordPress Plugin that brings the full richness of UMapper functionality into the WordPress environment. If you are looking to add interactive maps (and map games) to to your blog, we highly recommend you give our plugin a try. Release notes are available here.
You might have noticed that the branding of Microsoft maps in UMap API has been changed from Virtual Earth to Bing. The change is due to the launch of a new search engine Bing.com and the rebranding of Microsoft maps. The logo update is the first of many changes to come, and you can read more on the subject here.
We are working closely with the Bing team to ensure the transition goes smoothly. All changes will be rolled out automatically and there is no action needed on your part. That said, we are still going to keep you posted on our progress.
