Google Wave: wave.google.com

The cornerstone of the second day keynote at Google I/O event that's currently progressing in SF was a thing called Google Wave self-described as "a new tool for communication and collaboration on the web". MG Siegler of TechCrunch provided an in-depth review of it.

Although it's hard to decide on the usefulness of a piece of software by screenshots, the first thought that came to my mind was the one of the long jump of Bob Beamon at Mexico Olympics of 1968. I see a lot of tools and a number of companies obsoleted by Wave in a year timeframe.

Google Releases Maps Data API

Yesterday Google's Taj Campbell announced availability of Google Maps Data API.

This API "is-a" Google Data API for, yes, map data. In constrast to Google Maps API, which is about getting maps on your site, Google Maps Data API is focused on storage, access, indexing, and rendering user-supplied data.

The API seems to be a natural addition to Google data services family that fits snugly the LBS (location-based services) landscape, especially in the exploding smartphone market.

Owners of T-Mobile G1 or another Android-based mobile phone can check out My Maps Editor and My Tracks applications for Android. Or just head to Google Maps, click My Maps, and go wild from there.

Facebook Supports OpenID as a Relying Party

Here's how it works:

1. Login to your Facebook account normally, go to Settings/Account Settings/Linked Accounts, and link your Google, Yahoo, MySpace, Vidoop (whatever it is), Myopenid, or a generic OpenID account like VeriSign PIP.
2. Grant the permissions as needed.
3. Log out of your Facebook account.
4. Log in to your primary account such as Google.
5. Navigate to Facebook - after a short delay you will be redirected to your Facebook Home!
   

Sweet.

How to Get a Maps API Key for Android

I've found a peculiarity in the way you obtain Maps API key for your Android applications.

If you click Maps API Key Signup link in the left navigation bar on this page it sends you to a Maps API Key signup page. When you hit Generate API Key on that page you get a welcoming Not Found page.

However if you read the manual, you'll find http://code.google. com/android/maps-api-signup.html link that works.

There's no doubt that Google will ultimately have both links point to the same (working) page. Till then we need a note and a good bookmark.

Grails Supported On Google AppEngine

Graeme Rocher announced immediate availability of Grails 1.1.1.

The major "feature" of this release is support for Google AppEngine.

SpringSource keeps strengthening its position as a leader in Java productivity space. The combination of Grails framework and AppEngine infrastructure looks like a winning strategy for development shops seeking quality fast-to-market solutions based on Java technology.

SpringSource has been continuously extending its productivity technology portfolio. It has recently acquired monitoring and management company Hyperic. Last November SpringSource bought G2One, the company behind Groovy and Grails.

Android 1.5 Cupcake to Be Pushed to T-Mobile G1 Starting Late Next Week

According to the official T-Mobile announcement, T-Mobile will be sending Android 1.5, aka Cupcake, over the air "starting the end of next week". All the phones should be updated by the end of the month.

Major new features of Cupcake are on-screen keyboard, video recording and playback, and stereo bluetooth.

Android 1.5 is expected to perform better than previous releases of the operating system.

Android Market Expands to More Countries

According to an email I received from Android Market support, Android Market (and devices to access it) is expanded to France, Italy, and Spain. Canada, Portugal, Switzerland, and
Ireland are the next on the list.

Priced applications will be available in France, Italy, Spain, and Netherlands "in the next couple weeks".

SpringSource Aquires Hyperic

In a recent blog post, Rod Johnson announces that SpringSource has acquired Hyperic, a provider of enterprise monitoring and management solution Hyperic HQ.

The move is the next logical step in strengthening SpringSource's position as the leading provider of enterprise Java technology.