api

Do Not Track fine-tuning in Firefox 21

A more granular approach to how Firefox has implemented the controversial "Do Not Track" setting leads off the changes to Firefox 21, which updated on Tuesday. Also in the browser is support for more social networks including MSN Now and a "Firefox Health Report."

More options for the Social API, which debuted at the end of last year with Facebook Messenger integration, allows Firefox 21 (download for Windows | Mac | Linux) to work with MSN Now, Cliqz, China's Weibo, and the Japan-only Mixi. While there's no doubt that they're not even on a scale … Read more

Google: 'Glassware' developers prohibited from displaying ads

Google, which relies on advertising for some 95 percent of its revenue, doesn't want ads on its hotly anticipated Google Glass eyewear.

The blanket prohibition came in the fine print of a policy made public this evening, which says "Glassware" developers may not "serve or include any advertisements" and they "may not charge" users to download apps for the device.

Today's announcement, which coincided with news that Google Glass Explorer Edition prototypes were about to ship, indicates that the Mountain View company is proceeding carefully, even slowly, when allowing third-party developers access … Read more

Google releases Mirror API guide for Glass developers

As the Google Glass Explorer Edition begins rolling off the assembly line, the Web giant has published documentation for the Mirror API, the programming interface that developers will use to create services for the high-tech eyewear.

Although Google Glass was already demonstrated at the SXSW conference, the new documentation goes into much more depth for writing what Google calls "Glassware," including quick-start guides for Java and Python, developer guides, and best practices outlines.

"Today we're releasing the API documentation and a bunch of example code, so even though the API is in a limited developer preview, … Read more

Google releases full Google Glass explainer video

Google developer advocate Timothy Jordan envisions Google Glass, pardon the pun, as a way for people to distance themselves from technology. This seems a bit oxymoronic, however, considering it's a device people would wear on their face.

Jordan expounds on this idea and explains more about Google's wearable augmented reality project in a new video released today (see below). The video is a recording of Jordan's presentation at last month's South by Southwest Interactive conference.

"Project glass is about our relationship to technology. It's about technology that's there when you want it but … Read more

Facebook helps brands monitor and respond to comments

Facebook has been tinkering with how businesses, brands, and celebrities can deal with all of the comments they receive on the social network. And, today, it's rolling out another new tool -- a way for brands to more easily monitor and respond to comment replies.

Setting up a triage comment system through a new API, Facebook is making it possible for programmers to set up different comment "views."

The first view is "top level comments," which can be ranked to show those that a brand wants everyone to see. Then there are "replies," … Read more

YouTube expands live video streaming tools

SAN FRANCISCO--YouTube today added a way for developers to publish live videos from their mobile applications.

A new set of application programming interfaces, or APIs, introduced today by the company at the Game Developers Conference, lets developers push out a video stream of an app for live viewing.

In practice, this means game developers can add some code into their existing games, then publish gameplay live from a smartphone or tablet.

Such a system has been in place for a handful of desktop gaming titles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of … Read more

Facebook: Here's why we're blocking some apps

After taking heat for shutting off some apps' access to friend-finding data, Facebook says it's just protecting its assets.

The social network published a blog entry today, explaining that it's changed its policies to clarify this stance. Facebook didn't respond to press inquiries yesterday about why it had shut off access to its application programming interface, or API, for a number of apps. Access to the API allows developers to add features like Facebook logins and Facebook friend searches.

Facebook's director of platform partnerships and operations, Justin Osofsky, wrote in the blog that the company has … Read more

Vine users unable to search for Facebook friends

Vine is not yet a day old and Facebook is already shutting its virtual doors to Twitter's newly acquired video-sharing service.

Vine users are suddenly blocked from using the app's friend-finding feature to look up Facebook friends. Instead of letting you search for your Facebook buddies, the Vine app responds with the message, "Vine is not authorized to make this Facebook request."

It looks like Facebook has blocked Vine from accessing its API, or application programming interface, which would let Vine extract that data.

The move sounds like what Twitter did to a few other companies … Read more

Falcon Pro updates, integrates YouTube API

The folks behind the increasingly popular Falcon Pro Twitter client for Android have managed to push one last app update out the door before the new year, and it's not all about bug fixes. Version 1.4 of the slick client brings a host of new features, including double-tapping on tweets and a log-out button. See the full changelog below.

Added YouTube API integration Added option to enable double tap on tweets Added log-out button Added hide keyboard on RT Added report for spam Added mute management from settings Added hash tag autofill when searching for tweets Added slider … Read more