The folks over at Mapquest have made public a new OpenAPI that allows access to their services. They briefly explain the API as follows:


The MapQuest OpenAPI is a free service that allows you to use JavaScript to easily integrate routing, geocoding and mapping into your website. With this feature-rich API you can create dynamic routing and mapping applications for personal or community use.

...

The MapQuest OpenAPI is available free of charge for non-commercial use within the stated transaction levels of 50,000 combined maps and geocodes and 5,000 routes per day. If your needs fall outside of OpenAPI's terms please refer to MapQuest Business Solutions for additional options.


Of course I think this is a good thing. However, right after thinking that I wonder what benefit MapQuest gets from doing this since the mapping service is the only thing they offer. Being able to piggyback giving away free use of your data and services to generate business somewhere else is one thing but if that data and those services are all you have to offer than how do you make money? I honestly don't know the answer but I will watch and hopefully learn.

Check it out.