This morning, at TechEd 2010 in New Orleans, Bing announced some additions to Bing Maps that are relevant to both developers and consumers. First, Bing opened up the Bing Map App API to developers at BING MAPS PLATFORM - Map App Developer Resources: Map SDKs, APIs, Tips, Training with the release of the Bing Map App Software Development Kit (SDK). This release gives developers the ability to create their own map apps built on top of Bing Maps and hosted on bing.com/maps. Once developers create their Bing Map app, they’re encouraged to submit it to the King of Bing Maps Challenge. The challenge starts today and concludes on July 25, 2010.

Secondly, Bing released two new mapping apps:

• WeatherBug: With WeatherBug, consumers can check weather around the world or select an observation station to see the current conditions. Observation stations are pinned to the map and consumers can layer Doppler and satellite weather imagery over the map view. Observation stations include National Weather Service locations, WeatherBug Backyard stations, and WeatherBug stations, which may include current and next day forecasts, camera images and links to radar imagery.
• EveryScape Eats: With Everyscape Eats, consumers can not only read restaurant reviews and the menu, but they can actually “step inside” to see photos or a video tour of the restaurant interior.

More information about today’s announcement is available on the Bing blog post. If you’re interested in specifics about how to build an app for Bing Maps check out the Developer blog post here.