YouTube API Now Read/Write and Chromeless
March 13, 2008 by Mike Abundo
Filed under Computers
YouTube practically invented the video embed, thus triggering the widgetization of Web video. Taking that widgetization to a deeper level, YouTube gives third-party developers even more ways to play with their API.
We now support upload, other write operations, and internationalized standard feeds. (And there was much rejoicing!) We’re also introducing player APIs and a chromeless player — a barebones player SWF that’s fully customizable and controllable using the player APIs.
From watching chromeless players in Gaia Online to uploading videos from Spore, the new applications are impressive. Now developers can give users visually seamless read/write YouTube interaction from their own applications. It’s not quite a white-label video hosting solution, but it’s close.
At this point, YouTube’s brand is so ubiquitous that they needn’t worry about controlling the YouTube user experience on external services. They’ve secured their means of monetization on external services, so it’s all good. Deep APIs scream confidence, baby.
By the way, congratulations if you got the Ballmer joke at the end of the above video.
