Microsoft Shares Windows Live APIs

FROM MIX 07 Microsoft on Monday launched a new version of its Windows Live developer Web site, complete with controls to build the company's services into third-party products.

Among the new options are a Spaces Photo Control and updated Windows Live Contacts Control. The dev.live.com site already includes other code snippets covering rich media, maps, search, and authentication.

The Spaces Photo Control allows developers to add functionality to their Web site that would enable a Spaces user to sign in with their Live ID and then proceed to upload photos from their Space. Microsoft says this would save the user time when uploading photos to multiple Web sites.

"The user maintains control of his or her photos, while you focus on providing services with the photo the user gives you," Microsoft said in describing the offering.

The new version the Windows Live Contacts control opens up access to the service through the creation of an API. Developers would be able to select between using the control to access Live Contacts, or the API which would offer "more granular control over the user experience."

All services through controls would be offered at no cost to developers, the company said, although those using other methods would be charged if their access exceeds one million unique users per month.