Windows Live Dev has released the Windows Live Tools July CTP for Microsoft Visual Studio, a set of VS add-ins allowing developers to incorporate Windows Live services into web applications developed with Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Web Developer Express 2008.
The tools package contains the following controls:
- Map Control
- Contacts Control
- IDLoginStatus Control
- IDLoginView Control
- MessengerChat Control
- SilverlightStreamingMediaPlayer Control
The most important control contained by this release is ASP.NET Virtual Earth Map Control:
This map control enables you to provide your Web site visitors immersive experiences that integrate Microsoft Virtual Earth maps, aerial imagery, and bird's eye view. Now, you can download this free map control and get the functionality of Microsoft Virtual Earth. Just drag and drop this control from Visual Studio toolbox onto your Web page, set-up properties, and implement a Virtual Earth map on your Web site.
Important additions are also the Windows Live Contacts, Messenger and Silverlight controls for ASP.NET. The tools can be installed in Visual Studio 2008 or Visual Web Developer Express Edition. A Virtual Earth ASP.NET screen cast is available on Channel 9, and MSDN has been updated with documentation about Windows Live Tools for VS.