Where is Bing Maps Heading?

Bing Maps API has a  Control (Javascript Plugin, not to be confused with .Net or ActiveX Controls) that you can embed in Websites. About a year ago they released version 7.x of this api/control which supposedly is upto 300% faster than the previous version, and way cooler.

So for a recent project that uses Maps, I decided to look into the new version. After working with it for a couple of days, I realized that it is practically useless! First, many of the features have disappeared. Some of these features were the main reasons to choose Bing Maps over Google Maps. In addition, that illusive 300% increase in speed, I couldn't see it! Maps appear to load slower than before.

But thats not it, now you have to register each of your Website/Domain and get a Key to make the Maps work. If you didn't know, Google Maps DOES NOT require an API Key with its latest version. While Microsoft is trying to be like Google in this aspect, Google has already moved on from it.

Meanwhile, the Google Maps API version 3.x starting to look much nicer, loading fast, not requiring an API key, and enough flexible in terms of programmability.

Whoever is responsible for the changes in Bing Maps API, did not make smart decisions. I say that not just as my opinion. I have looked around and found enough discussions on these topics to know this is the general feeling of the developers.

So after wasting two days of work, I am back with the older version of the API, and if I am to upgrade to anything in the future, it will most likely be Google Maps.

May be someone will take note, and change the directions?

Knowing Microsoft, I don't think so.