More than just IM, Meebo launches Developer Platform
By Ema Kwiatkowski
On its second birthday, online messaging service Meebo has unwrapped the Meebo Platform, a way for outside developers to build applications that integrate with the Meebo desktop.
Meebo allows users to send instant messages using their Yahoo, gTalk, MSN and AIM accounts, all on one site, without a software download. This lets people use their IM accounts when they may not be at computers with the right IM software installed. Additionally, users can also embed a Meebo chat widget within their blogs or sites.
Now Meebo is asking developers to build a JavaScript or Flash applications and register them with Meebo, which will then release code to allow the new application to call on the company’s application programming interfaces, according to Meebo’s blog. Similar to Facebook, Meebo’s platform consists of a set of APIs that developers can access to create widgets which Meebo users can add to their pages.
Meebo’s blog explains:
We’re opening our doors and letting meebo applications be open for anyone to develop! Got an idea? Just visit http://www.meebo.com/platform and you can learn about the meebo platform API, obtain a unique key, and get access to a starter kit to help you build and test your application in meebo.com. JavaScript or Flash, it’s your choice.
When we were all thinking about how to describe our platform, we thought of a great phrase that represents the synchronous and live nature of meebo applications:
“I want to ______ with you.”
I have no idea what you all will come up with, but I bet it’ll be pretty creative!
The initial applications to be launched are centered around voice and video sharing. Because these are web-based applications, no software downloads are required. Meebo’s plans call for additional third-party applications in the near future, including games, shopping and more. But outside developers will need to get their applications approved by Meebo before they become available to users.
Meebo has over six million unique visitors that log in monthly and they are going a long way to capitalize on current trends in collaboration and real time interaction.
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October 30th, 2007
[...] More than just IM, Meebo launches Developer Platform » This Summary is from an article posted at TECH.BLORGE.com on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 This [...]