Sunday, April 1, 2012

Happy April Fools! The Google Cloud API: cloud coverage anywhere, anytime


We are thrilled to announce a project the App Engine team has been working on for a long time: the Cloud API. The Cloud API allows developers unprecedented control over cloud deployments in their area.
We think the Cloud API is a huge step forward for developers. For the first time, developers can simply and easily gain cloud coverage in locations around the globe within minutes. With the Cloud API developers can drive increased cloud awareness for a wide range of new users and enterprises. This will not only allow totally new applications in the agricultural and metrology sectors to flourish but also provide a welcome addition to mobile, social and gaming. The Cloud API provides the scalability you would expect from App Engine with clouds seeded on demand and dispersed when they are no longer needed. Clouds are created using cloud engines which are specially designed jet engines with three fins. 



A Cloud Deployed Using the Cloud API. Imagery ©2012 GeoEye, DigitalGlobe, Cnes/Spot Image, TerraMetrics



The Cloud API is supported in Python, Java and Go, check out the Getting Started Guide to find out how simple it is to integrate clouds into your applications.





As with other parts of App Engine, the Cloud API is backed by an SLA of 99.95% uptime along with an accuracy of ±5m. Clouds come in configurable sizes ranging up to 5m3 for free customers with paid and premier customers able to extend clouds to 10km3.

Pricing for the Cloud API are based on the likelihood of cloud in the location the cloud is requested. A cloud pricing calculator will be released in the coming days, however example pricing is provided below:

Example LocationLikelihood of CloudPrice/Cloud Hour/10m3
Seattle, WA, US55%Free*
Brisbane, AU20%$0.10
Yuma, AZ, US10%$0.20

*Removal of cloud from high cloud areas such as Seattle has a cost of $0.10 per Cloud Hour per 10m3.

If you have any questions or comments send them to the App Engine group. We'd love to hear from you.

- Posted by the App Engine team

9 comments:

  1. Is Google Cloud API available in Fortran 77 runtime?

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  2. Interesting first release, but lacks a lot of functionality. Once you add support for spawning tornadoes I think there will be a lot of practical applications for this.

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  3. is is a Fool April joke? anyway, nice try :)

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  4. is there an api to make the cloud go away when it is no longer required?

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  5. Not long ago, I spied a Google Maps car rolling slowly down Congress Avenue in Austin, TX. I've always thought it lucky to see one, not unlike spying a dolphin in Town Lake, or a leprechaun, or a Yeti. I thought it odd, though, that rather than a multi-directional camera, this one was topped with a lightening rod and some odd-looking sensor apparatus. Also, the driver was wearing a Wizard's cap. But, then again, it was Halloween.

    As the car passed I slowed my tricycle to match speed, so that I could get a closer look. Then the queerest sensation overtook me: the air pressure seemed to suddenly drop. I looked at the sky, and could see that above me a small cumulonimbus cloud was forming. This furthered my disquiet (I have always been afraid of clouds) and I hastened along, but no matter how I pedaled, the cloud seemed to follow. The Google Car turned right; I turned right; the Cloud turned right.

    Soon enough we had all three of us reached the on-ramp of I-35. There is no tricycle lane on the highway, and besides, my legs were tired. I was beginning to be resigned to the possibility of going through life with a cloud over my head, when the Google Car sped off, and the cloud followed with it apace before disintegrating. A rush of relief fell upon me, until I looked at my pocket-watch and realized that I had missed my court date to fight a jaywalking ticket.

    In short, Google, you owe me $235.

    Did I mention it was my birthday?

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  6. It's a very weird type of (computing?) clouds you're talking about. Hope to see sun, wind and all other weather conditions API from Google soon!
    Weather control rules! Go Google!

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  7. I'm sure Africa is quite eager to deploy more clouds.

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  8. Re: "It's a very weird type of (computing?) clouds you're talking about. Hope to see sun, wind and all other weather conditions API from Google soon! Weather control rules! Go Google!"

    Doubt Google will be able to do the other natural conditions. Apple already owns the patents for sunshine, happiness, omnipotence.

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