While Wolfram Alpha, the website, has so far failed to capture the imagination of the public in a meaningful way, the core idea has always been about the data. And it does contain data that is interesting, and potentially quite useful if presented in the right way. And now others can try to figure that out, as that data takes center stage with the launch of Wolfram Alpha’s API today.
The company expects the API (which will reside here when it goes live later today) to be useful for a number of things including injecting data into other websites, mobile applications, cloud computing apps, and even blog posts and articles that need certain data.
As we reported this past summer, one such website using this data will be Microsoft’s search engine Bing. But before that, the first use of the API will be with the soon-to-be-released Wolfram Alpha iPhone app. And the iPhone app actually served as a test case to make sure the API was ready to go, we’re told.
Data from comScore suggests that after starting fast out of the gate, and bottoming-out in July, Wolfram Alpha’s traffic is moving in the right direction again (see chart). Might this iPhone app, and the API further fuel a post-hype comeback? We’ll see, but they can’t hurt. More importantly, both will further emphasize what Wolfram Alpha considers its key asset, its computational knowledge.
From a technical perspective, this API “operate as a REST-style webservice, and can be called from any internet-connected computer or device and can be used with any programming language that supports HTTP and XML,” we’re told.
I’d love to test the WolframAlpha iPhone app if you’re looking for testers. I use the site quite frequently. It’s a great tool!
Z
Perhaps WolframAlpha has failed to capture the public’s attention because the public in general doesn’t know how to use it and has no use for it. Not to say it isn’t a powerful and excellent tool and is sure to develop a rabid fan base, just that that fan base will be a niche one. My mother-in-law is on Facebook, my Dad is on Twitter, my brother is on Facebook, my partners use Google Wave, everyone I know uses Gmail, but no one has a use for WolframAlpha.
Just when I think I have a query for Wolfram, it fails me. For example, the population of a small town. I revert back to Google with the standard “city, state population” query… and it’s the first or second result. Go figure.
WolframAlpha has a terrible brand but the API offers limitless possibilities for developers who need curated data and computational magic to create mashups.
Stephen Wolfram’s interview on CrazyEngineers – http://www.craz...ind-of-science/
Lot of questions answered!
Its because WA doesn’t tell me what I want to know. like how much tea there is in china.
Has anyone looked at the pricing for the API? The cheapest plan is $60 per month for 1,000 requests. Things just go up from there. Isn’t this a huge roadblock to adoption?
In reading the FAQ, there is no trial version available to do a POC. They reference pioneer grants, but I can’t imagine they will give many of those out.
I think Wolfram has great technology and had planned to develop something around their API, but this pricing is making me think twice.
wolframalpha is a really really bad domain name to start with!!!
One major flaw with the API is that they are forcing people to pay for it. There is no way that a paid API can establish growth, if they really want developers to flock to it they need to make it free.
Sounded good until I saw this page:
http://products...pi/pricing.html
That’s some pretty ridiculous pricing if you ask me.
Hopefully GOOG comes up with something better, and feeds these guys to the sharks.
This isn’t going to revolutionize anything. They’re trying to get people to freely volunteer their time and effort contributing to the database, after which they will charge mega $$$$ for accessing it. There won’t be any “mashups” to speak of.
Maybe someday a Wikipedia-like site will be created to do the same thing, but using volunteers to create a database that can be freely used and reused. *That* will be a revolution.
The API pricing is out of my range, but why can’t you just parse the page? Sure, it takes longer, but once you have it cached locally on your server, it’s a snap.
@Stephen, Perhaps you should check http://www.free...e.com/docs/data
=)
as for me and retty much all my class use it regularly. As chemical engineers doing plant design its invaluable to just go “water at 20 atmospheres” at it tells that it boils at 200+ C or that 4500 kg of substance X is this many moles. I think it amazing, bring on the iPhone app!
Will “Alpha” always be part of the name?
Geaux Tigers!
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