What Are Mashups?

Mashups are applications that take data from different sources and combine it to form new services or user experiences. (See the article on Wikipedia).  By providing open, accessible APIs, the Windows Live Platform offers the opportunity to create mashups using the core services and data of Windows Live. Now you can build applications and mashups that combine your innovation with the power of Windows Live services and social relationships.

Featured Mashups

• Showing Your Contacts on a Map: This sample mashup uses the Windows Live Contacts Control beta and Virtual Earth to place your Windows Live Contacts on a map.
• Start a Party: This sample also uses the Contacts Control beta and Virtual Earth, but shows a more sophisticated functionality. It allows you to map your contacts, choose a place to meet, and then send customized driving directions in e-mail to each of your contacts.
• Crash a Party: This sample is an extension of "Start a Party," incorporating data feeds  from third-party event calendaring sites.
• Virtual Earth Interactive SDK: The interactive SDK is actually a mashup itself, combing the Virtual Earth API reference, sample code for each API, and tasked-based examples of manipulating the Virtual Earth UI. Not only is this a cool use of a mashup, it's also a very useful way to quickly learn how to use the Virtual Earth API.
• ASP.NET Ajax: The showcase at ajax.asp.net highlights applications built on ASP.NET Ajax, a free framework for building a new generation of richer, more interactive Web applications.
• Virtual Earth Gallery: A selection of sites using Virtual Earth in mashups.