Wouldn’t it be neat if Google offered developers a way to write scripts to extend the functionality of Google Writely, Google Spreadsheets, Gmail and so on?

Right now, if you want to do this you have to go for things like user stylesheets or Greasemonkey scripts, or other specific Firefox extensions, all approaches that are sub-optimal at best because installing them takes a certain browser and isn’t really “one-click” easy, and there’s also the risk you disobey the Google terms of service.

An officially supported Google Apps add-on API – sort of like macros for Microsoft Office, but something different than Google’s current Apps API – on the other hand would guarantee easy installation. Additionally, Google could then link to these extensions right from the specific product pages. E.g. a link at the top right side of your Gmail account may bring you straight to the Gmail add-ons of the Google Apps API directory. You could then subscribe to several extensions, Personalized Homepage directory-style, and extend your Google Apps with new functionality.

Full article: webpronews.com