The document discusses SoundCloud, an online audio platform, and its API. It notes that SoundCloud allows users to upload audio from anywhere, has almost 2 million users uploading various types of audio, and is an open platform. It then defines what an API is and discusses reasons for building an API, including allowing external use of data, empowering users, spreading brand awareness, engaging developers, extending applications, and achieving conceptual clarity. The document also outlines lessons learned from SoundCloud's API and examples of apps built using its API.

1. SoundCloud/API
Eric Wahlforss CTO/SoundCloud
Disruptive Code 2010

2. Who am I?

3. What is SoundCloud?

4. What is SoundCloud?
Your sounds from anywhere to everywhere

5. What is SoundCloud?
Your sounds from anywhere to everywhere
Like Flickr for audio

6. What is SoundCloud?
Your sounds from anywhere to everywhere
Like Flickr for audio
All kinds of audio – Music, samples, loops, recordings

7. What is SoundCloud?
Your sounds from anywhere to everywhere
Like Flickr for audio
All kinds of audio – Music, samples, loops, recordings
Almost 2 million users – From Bieber to Shamantis

8. What is SoundCloud?
Your sounds from anywhere to everywhere
Like Flickr for audio
All kinds of audio – Music, samples, loops, recordings
Almost 2 million users – From Bieber to Shamantis
An open platform

9. Highlights

15. What is an API?

16. What is an API?
Application Programming Interface = Platform

17. What is an API?
Application Programming Interface = Platform
... two systems talking to each other

18. What is an API?
Application Programming Interface = Platform
... two systems talking to each other
Facilitates exchange and manipulation of data

19. What is an API?
Application Programming Interface = Platform
... two systems talking to each other
Facilitates exchange and manipulation of data
Essential for the web

20. What is an API?
Application Programming Interface = Platform
... two systems talking to each other
Facilitates exchange and manipulation of data
Essential for the web
Adam Smith’s wet dream

21. Hyper division of labour...
Adam Smith (1723-1790)

22. Hyper division of labour...
... and a network economy
Adam Smith (1723-1790)

23. Why API? Obvious and not-so-obvious reasons
Inspired by http://strange.corante.com/2006/02/08/fowa-ten-reasons-why-you-need-to-build-an-api-shaun-inman

24. Why API? Obvious and not-so-obvious reasons
Allow people to use their own data...
Inspired by http://strange.corante.com/2006/02/08/fowa-ten-reasons-why-you-need-to-build-an-api-shaun-inman

25. Why API? Obvious and not-so-obvious reasons
Allow people to use their own data...
... empower people–everybody loves talking about stuff
that empowers them ...
Inspired by http://strange.corante.com/2006/02/08/fowa-ten-reasons-why-you-need-to-build-an-api-shaun-inman

26. Why API? Obvious and not-so-obvious reasons
Allow people to use their own data...
... empower people–everybody loves talking about stuff
that empowers them ...
... which spreads the word about your service
Inspired by http://strange.corante.com/2006/02/08/fowa-ten-reasons-why-you-need-to-build-an-api-shaun-inman

27. Why API? Obvious and not-so-obvious reasons
Allow people to use their own data...
... empower people–everybody loves talking about stuff
that empowers them ...
... which spreads the word about your service
Developer community–the ultimate power users
Inspired by http://strange.corante.com/2006/02/08/fowa-ten-reasons-why-you-need-to-build-an-api-shaun-inman

28. Why API? Obvious and not-so-obvious reasons
Allow people to use their own data...
... empower people–everybody loves talking about stuff
that empowers them ...
... which spreads the word about your service
Developer community–the ultimate power users
Extend your application–solve niche use cases
Inspired by http://strange.corante.com/2006/02/08/fowa-ten-reasons-why-you-need-to-build-an-api-shaun-inman

29. Why API? Obvious and not-so-obvious reasons
Allow people to use their own data...
... empower people–everybody loves talking about stuff
that empowers them ...
... which spreads the word about your service
Developer community–the ultimate power users
Extend your application–solve niche use cases
Conceptual clarity
Inspired by http://strange.corante.com/2006/02/08/fowa-ten-reasons-why-you-need-to-build-an-api-shaun-inman

30. And...
It might become the core of your service!
Inspired by http://www.readwriteweb.com/cloud/2010/08/the-new-api-movement-may.php

31. Learnings from SoundCloud

32. People like new things!

33. Eat your own dogfood

34. Once you launch you can’t
change
Inspired by http://www.readwriteweb.com/cloud/2010/08/the-new-api-movement-may.php

35. Engage the community

36. Don’t pay people

37. Write kick-ass docs

38. BizDev 1.0->1.5->2.0
http://cdixon.org/2010/08/28/good-bizdev-cannabilizies-itself/
http://caterina.net/archive/000996.html

39. BizDev 1.0->1.5->2.0
http://cdixon.org/2010/08/28/good-bizdev-cannabilizies-itself/
http://caterina.net/archive/000996.html

40. BizDev 1.0->1.5->2.0
http://cdixon.org/2010/08/28/good-bizdev-cannabilizies-itself/
http://caterina.net/archive/000996.html

41. BizDev 1.0->1.5->2.0
http://cdixon.org/2010/08/28/good-bizdev-cannabilizies-itself/
http://caterina.net/archive/000996.html

42. BizDev 1.0->1.5->2.0
http://cdixon.org/2010/08/28/good-bizdev-cannabilizies-itself/
http://caterina.net/archive/000996.html

43. Cool stuff

44. Studio One

45. AmpKit

46. Beatwave

47. RootMusic BandPage

48. MobileRoadie

49. ExtensionFM

50. Citysounds

51. Thanks!
eric@soundcloud.com
twitter.com/ericw

52. We’re hiring :)
soundcloud.com/jobs