API
An application programming interface or API is a set of programming functions and protocols that support the building of applications. The API tends to be fairly abstract, providing more convenient access to send data in and get data back out of lower-level, more basic processes and functions.
A growing trend in web-based software and services is to provide an "open API" to provide third-party developers with access to a subset of a web service's data and functions, in order to build external applications to the main service. Prominent examples of this include the Facebook API for developing Facebook applications, the iPhone API, the Twitter API which has spawned dozens of third-party services, and the Google Maps API which has inspired countless mashups of mapping data with other web services.
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08/21/09 6:25pm Computing, Gaming Microsoft retail stores hiring, PS2 backwards compatibility never returning to PS3, Twitter to offer commercial accounts this year
Microsoft is opening its first two Apple-esque retail stores in Scottsdale, AZ and Mission Viejo, CA, and we're apparently getting… dig deeper
Around the web: microsoftjobsblog.com (41 comments)
, techmeme.com (9 comments)
, gizmodo.com (3 comments)
, VentureBeat
, Techmeme (9 comments) 
Profile pages: Microsoft, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation, Sony PlayStation 3, Microblogging, Microsoft Windows 7, Twitter, Sony PlayStation 3 Slim, Sony PlayStation 3, Twitter, Inc., tweet, Sony, Microsoft Windows 7, API
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08/20/09 7:30pm Computing Twitter makes tweets location-aware, Apple Hard Drive Firmware Update 2.0 fixes MacBook Pro problems, The Pirate Bay copy preserved in torrent form
The Twitter blog announced today that a new API is available that lets developers include latitude and longitude information in… dig deeper
Around the web: Twitter Blog
, Techmeme
, support.apple.com
, tuaw.com (9 comments)
, TorrentFreak
, Techmeme 
Profile pages: Apple, Apple MacBook Pro, The Pirate Bay, piracy, Apple MacBook Pro 2009 (15-inch), Apple MacBook Pro 2009 (13-inch), Twitter, Twitter, Inc., tweet, Geotagging, SATA, Firmware, Hard disk drive, API
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06/04/09 1:05pm Computing, Home A/V Grooveshark social music service launches Facebook app, Wordpress plug-in and Tinysong API
The flash-based music streaming site adds a number of social integration features today. dig deeper
Around the web: ReadWriteWeb (1 comment)

Profile pages: Facebook, WordPress 2.7, Escape Media Group Inc., API, Grooveshark
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05/28/09 2:00pm Computing Google Wave introduces ambitious new communication interface based on email and instant messaging
Though still only in its infancy, Wave could soon bring a powerful real time toolkit to developers. dig deeper
Around the web: techcrunch.com (57 comments)
, news.cnet.com (8 comments)
, googleblog.blogspot.com 
Profile pages: Google, Google Wave, Microblogging, IM (Instant messaging), API
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04/09/09 3:05pm Computing feature The Obsessable Ten: Top Twitter hardware hacks
Twitter: it's not just for humans anymore. dig deeper
Profile pages: Wi-Fi, RFID, Microblogging, Twitter, API, Twitter, Inc., tweet, home automation
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04/07/09 1:05pm Computing, Home A/V Boxee media center announces full open API
Popular entertainment hub opens access to third parties to develop applications. dig deeper
Around the web: Waxy.org Links (5 comments)
, Electricpig.co.uk
, TechCrunch (156 comments) 
Profile pages: Streaming video, Boxee, IPTV, Apple App Store, Boxee, API
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03/26/09 6:00pm Computing, Home A/V SeeqPod plans to start charging for source code, access to API
The legally-challenged music search engine seeks to create "million of mini-SeeqPods." dig deeper
Around the web: ReadWriteWeb
, Epicenter 
Profile pages: P2P, MP3, Search engine, RIAA, API, SeeqPod, SeeqPod
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03/18/09 5:10pm Home A/V, Computing Column The best set-top box for IPTV is still a computer with a web browser
Cat-and-mouse games like Hulu/Boxee add to the frustration of getting web video into the living room. dig deeper
Around the web: Alley Insider
, Alley Insider (1 comment) 
Profile pages: Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro, Streaming video, NBC Universal, Roku NetFlix Player, Hulu, Sony PlayStation 3, VOD, Boxee, IPTV, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Vimeo, HP MediaSmart, Boxee, API, Vudu Box BX100, Qik, PlayOn Digital Media Server
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03/17/09 3:03pm Mobile iPhone OS 3.0 adds copy and paste, MMS, push notifications
The new version of the iPhone's built-in software is coming this summer, and it adds many of the most requested and overdue features. dig deeper
Profile pages: Apple iPhone, Apple iPhone 3G, Apple, 3G, Apple iPhone, GPS, Wi-Fi, P2P, Apple iPod touch, Apple iPod, SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), Bluetooth, YouTube, iPhone apps, Google Maps, Operating system, Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP), Apple App Store, Meebo, OTA, API, IM (Instant messaging)
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02/11/09 3:17pm Computing Yahoo BOSS lets you roll your own search engine
The company lets developers build off its search results to craft customized search pages. dig deeper
Around the web: Latest from Computerworld
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02/10/09 1:05pm Computing, Gaming feature Interview: gamerDNA's Jon Radoff on establishing an open, portable gamer identity on the web
We get a tour of gamerDNA and talk game discovery and being the catalyst of game conversations around the web. dig deeper
Profile pages: Apple iPhone, Apple iPhone 3G, Apple iPhone, Sony PlayStation, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation 3, Social networking, Facebook, Microblogging, venture capital, Twitter, Tumblr, FriendFeed, API, gamerDNA, gamerDNA, Raptr, Steam, lifestreaming
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02/07/09 5:10pm Computing Column Could Facebook kill Twitter?
This week the popular social network opened its API to status updates; does that spell danger for microblogging service Twitter? dig deeper
Around the web: All Facebook (1 comment)
, VentureBeat
, Industry Standard News and Predictions
, Neowin.net / Main
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Profile pages: Social networking, Facebook, Facebook, Microblogging, Facebook Connect, Twitter, API, Twitter, Inc.
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