End-of-life notification for Virtual Earth v2, v3, v4 & v5

Question

 

As part of our planned deprecation schedule for older versions of Virtual Earth, we will be permanently retiring Virtual Earth version 2, version 3, version 4, and version 5 in the coming months so that you can upgrade to version 6.1, the current version. If you are currently using one of the older versions, please read this notification and the end-of-life schedule that applies to the version(s) of Virtual Earth you are using. Please note, this Virtual Earth version end-of-life plan only applies to Virtual Earth and does not affect the MapPoint Web Service.

 

Upgrade to version 6.1 and take full advantage of the latest features the Virtual Earth platform has to offer, including:

 

• Access to imagery updates and new coverage
• Transaction usage reports that provide insight into how your application is being utilized by end users
• Improved printing support
• Bird's eye hybrid view
• Improved Safari browser support
• And more ....

Upgrade information by Virtual Earth version number:

In the table below, find the Virtual Earth version you are currently running and note the end-of-life date indicated and the action you will need to take.

 

Virtual Earth Map Control API Version:	End-of-life date: Version will no longer work after the following date.	Action required:
Version 2	March 31, 2008 Version 2 will no longer work after this date.	Version 2 was deprecated on March 31, 2008. You must upgrade any applications that are using Virtual Earth version 2 to Virtual Earth version 6.1 to ensure Virtual Earth service availability.
Version 3	September 22, 2008 Version 3 will no longer work after this date.	Upgrade any applications that are using Virtual Earth version 3 to Virtual Earth version 6.1 by September 22, 2008 to ensure Virtual Earth service availability.
Version 4	September 22, 2008 Version 4 will no longer work after this date.	Upgrade any applications that are using Virtual Earth version 4 to Virtual Earth version 6.1 by September 22, 2008 to ensure Virtual Earth service availability.
Version 5	September 22, 2008 Version 5 will be automatically upgraded to the most current version of Virtual Earth.	Since Virtual Earth version 6.1  is backward compatible with version 5, no action should be required by you. However, we strongly encourage you to test your version 5 applications against version 6.1 prior to September 22, 2008 to ensure there are no unforeseen issues with your applications when version 5 is automatically upgraded to version 6.1. Alternatively, you can choose to actively upgrade your version 5 applications to version 6.1 prior to September 22, 2008.

 

Important additional information:

 

Before you begin upgrading to Virtual Earth version 6.1 from version 2, version 3, version 4 or version 5, you will want to review the technical documentation on how to migrate from these older versions of Virtual Earth. You can find this important documentation on msdn.microsoft.com here. 

 

You can begin incorporating the latest features of Virtual Earth version 6 with the Virtual Earth Interactive SDK. The Interactive SDK provides scenario-based, hands-on demonstrations with associated source code and references.  Visit http://dev.live.com/virtualearth/sdk/ to access the Interactive SDK online.

 

Thank you,

Sujatha

Program Manager, Virtual Earth Team

Answer 1

Looking for some help to upgrade to Version 6?

Richard wrote this article to help you:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc161073.aspx

 

If you have the option to update your environment to Visual Studio 2008, I highly recommend it. Not only do you get a great web design view and good support for css but this recent community project gives you javascript intellisence for Version6:

http://www.codeplex.com/VEJS

 

And if you want to know what is new in Version 6 check out this:

http://www.viawindowslive.com/Articles/VirtualEarth/WhatsnewinVersion6.aspx

 

John.

Answer 2

Hi Sujatha,

we  implemented one application using virtual earth 4.0.recently i saw this article. in this article you said End-of-life notification for Virtual Earth v2, v3, v4 & v5.actually i upgrade my version 4 to 6.1.it's working fine and in this upgradation version i am still using old methods like  addpushpin,addpolyline like version 4 methods in version 6.These methods working after auguest31? i want clarification about this. because i am upgrade the script but i am not upgrade my old methods.
please tell me


Thanks,
Kiran

Answer 3

As long as the VE Map Control URL you are using in your applications is the VE v6.1 version (http://dev.virtualearth.net/mapcontrol/mapcontrol.ashx?v=6.1) and the methods you are using are documented in the VE v6.1 SDK you are good. Note, some of the same methods from older versions of VE may often be used in newer versions of VE, the key is to be sure you are using the latest version of the VE Map Control URL (i.e.: VE v6.1).

 

Answer 4

Is Microsoft still reporting a problem with Safari exploit and does this affect Virtual Earth?

Thanks,

Mike

http://www.boomlogic.com

Answer 5

Kiran,

 

In answer to your question, yes there are some old methods like map.AddPushpin (from V3) that still exist in version 6.1 and still work.  However there are some things you might want to be aware of:

 

- Using old methods will not be compatible with new methods

e.g: AddPushpin will not put pushpins into proper layers and be identified as shapes

 

- Some old methods are completely replaced and cannot be re-used

e.g: map.Find

 

In short, if you're application works in V6.1 when porting over from any older version, then you won't need to be concerned about this upgrade. 

 

Regards,