Google has released a set of “free” development tools and standards which helps developers save time and money producing new “widgets” for the web.
Open ID = Login credentials can be shared between different websites. Almost like a “Single Sign On” or “SSO”. Developers and social websites can make it easier on users so you don’t have to log in 10 different times with 10 different passwords. It makes life more integrated and easier to use multiple social websites for a each person.
OAuth = This helps developers write code that can talk to other applications and social websites, by providing a way to authenticate into and use information in between different websites.
Open Social = Build once, compatible with many. A new development standard or application programming interface (API) for developers to build applications with one set of code that is compatible with all other social applications that support Open Social, instead of building a different set of code for every single website API. Well, actually it should at least save you at least 80% of coding, in lieu of 100% of recoding each time. The 20% difference may be for any special features that’s specific for each social network or application. Google, Yahoo and MySpace, collaborated together in forming the open social foundation, www.opensocial.org.
Shindig = New protocal to help develop in open social. The actual programming languages can be either Java or PHP; both are supported.
Google App Engine = “Free” development platform/infrastructure to build, test, debug, host and run your applications. This includes the hosting and app server development environment for free. The first 5,000,000 page views are free, with a small nominal charge ($40/mo avg) after that. You can still use your favorite IDE such as eclipse, then use Google App Engine to test, debug, and launch your applications for free. Utilizing the Python programming language.
Android = Build mobile applications, with the help of Google’s mobile software stack. Interactive, touch screen capability, and even motion sensor capability such as a virtual compass navigation within your mobile maps application (of course dependent on what your phone supports as well).
Google AJAX = Using AJAX as your programming language you can add Google functionality onto your website, such as Google Search.
Google Web Toolkit = Helps developers build AJAX applications.
Google Gadgets = Helps developers build widgets or mini applications to run on multiple Google website properties such as iGoogle.
Google Gears = Helps developers build desktop applications.
You Tube Data API = Customize and integrate YouTube on your website, including look/feel, layout and navigation.