As just announced at PubCon, and now posted on Dev.Live.com, Live Search has released a “new generation of search engine API”.  Dubbed “Project Silk Road” the new version offers new interfaces through JSON, and XML over HTTP, in addition to the previously supported SOAP interface.  The new API set is now strongly typed, and offers access to 7 result types (web, news, images, phonebook, spell-checker, related queries, and Encarta instant answer).

In addition, Live Search for the first time is opening up a pilot program (US only, with restrictions) allowing you to incorporate advertisements into search results pages on your website.

You can get started with “Silk Road" starting today.