LABS GALLERY: Google Wave Developer Preview Shows Platforms Potential

by Jim Rapoza

Google Wave combines standard e-mail interface coventions with some nice interactive capabilities for real-time collaboration and Web platform development.

In a Google Wave collaboration, users can view entries in real time, comment on and edit content, and interact with media, images, documents and live Web services.

As one would expect from a Google product, search is well-integrated in Google Wave, making it possible to launch Waves from searches or to tie search results to a Wave discussion.

Most advanced control of a Google Wave is done from within the Debug menu. For example, users can find and add Gadgets to their Waves from the Debug menu.

Google Wave Gadgets are small applications that can be added to Waves to provide a wide variety of functionality, such as mapping and location awareness.

A Google Wave Robot is an extension to a Wave that can use data entered within a Wave to add content or carry out other automated activities. This simple Robot is a Magic 8 Ball that responds to questions within a Wave.

One of the more interesting aspects of Google Wave is the ability to embed Waves into external Websites. Here, I’ve added my Magic 8 Ball Wave to the eWEEK Emerging Technology blog.