The API is Coming!
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Posted: Mar 19th 2010
What is an API and how is it going to help Project Bubble?
An API is quite simply something that allows software to talk to each other. The good news is we are going to be building one for Project Bubble.
What does this mean? Well it means a great deal.
Firstly the third-party software that you use (for example Bookkeeping software like Outright, invoicing software like FreshBooks and file management apps like DropBox) will all be able to talk to Project Bubble. That means you won't need so many advanced features like File Management in Project Bubble because you can just interface with other apps that do it a whole lot better.
Imagine being able to have the easy-to-use management part of Bubble interacting with the amazing file management features that a service like DropBox offer. Or imagine generating invoices with Bubble and then having them auto populate in your accounting package.
With an API this becomes possible.
Secondly it allows for developers to build third-party applications for Project Bubble, like Twitter does. For example TweetDeck is an app that is not owned by Twitter, but they sell their desktop and iPhone application which simply plugs in to the Twitter service. That means Twitter can focus on providing a great quality and simple service, but those who want more (like filtering, auto-searching, Mac OS X desktop apps) can get it from a third-party.
In the case of Project Bubble it means we can soon have multiple iPhone, Android, Mac OS X apps (such as Adobe AIR) and PC apps all developed for us which simply interface with the online Project Bubble database.
Imagine having an iPhone app that you can take on the road with you and you simply talk to it and it sets up your projects. Or perhaps an app that reads out what active projects you have due today while you are driving.
Imagine being able to download all your projects on to your Mac or PC, working on them on the train (using a really nice interface similar to Project Bubble), then whenever you get a web connection again it uploads the changes to Project Bubble.
This is what an API does, and we are going to be building one this summer.
We know you will love using it.
Posted by Stu GreenStu is the founder and lead developer of Project Bubble. He lives in London with his wife and has a seriously good left hand at table football.
Comments
By Emilio on Mar 19th 2010
Stu congrats for ProjectBubble, I think its an excellent tool. Right now I use Basecamp but Im seriously considering moving to PB. APIs would make that decision easier.
By Matthew Lux on Mar 19th 2010
Stu,
This is great news.
By RICH LANDER on Mar 19th 2010
I am sooooo excited for this! THANK YOU!!!
By Brandon Setter on Mar 19th 2010
Stu, I totally think this will be the 1 thing that allows me to switch. Looking forward to seeing PB integrated with other fabulous tools around the web that already do their job really well.
By Michal Kopanski on Mar 20th 2010
Simply awesome! I'm already loving the Dropbox integration! Thanks for taking my advice (about using Dropbox)!
By Bill Chambers on Mar 21st 2010
Dropbox + Freshbooks = WIN!
By Stu Green on Mar 21st 2010
Yep, the API is gonna be awesome. I'm really excited. I have a genius guy working on it too.
By Chris Milne on Mar 23rd 2010
Awesome!!
By Wassim on Apr 11th 2010
Neat :)
Might open the doors I suppose to other payment options, like 2CO or other PayPal alternatives. That would be great for certain locations in the PayPal "shadow areas" ^^