12/22/2009

An Open Letter to App Developers: Bump Technologies Launches a Bump API

Developers,

We've been amazed at how quickly our standalone app has taken off (nearly 7 million downloads since April).  And we've been overwhelmed by the number of developers who have asked for a way that they could use Bump in their own apps.  So, we've done exactly that: opened up the core Bump matching technology in the form of an SDK and API for use in other apps.  With the new Bump API, iPhone developers will be able to integrate our matching technology with just about 10 lines of code.

Mobile phones allow us to interact with others in many very powerful ways these days, but when it comes to interacting with someone *standing right next to you*, there is a big gap.  We hope that opening up the Bump API will help make mobile devices more useful by making it easier to connect to and share with those around you.

So, what can you do with the Bump API?  Just about anything.  The Bump API uses our Bump matching technology to identify another mobile phone and then creates a messaging channel between the two handsets.  Your users will be able to establish connections, exchange data, authenticate interactions...all with the same speed and simplicity that millions of people enjoy with the Bump app today.

Some details:

• The Bump API is currently in Private Beta: you can request inclusion in the Beta at http://bu.mp/api.html
• We'll accept ~20 developers with the best app ideas for the Beta program, the top 10 apps using the Bump API will be featured on our website and media communications, and the top 3 will win cash prizes of $500, $1000, and $2500.  We also have a few "Requests for Apps" in some areas we'd like to see Bump used: http://blog.bu.mp/requests-for-apps
• After a short period, the API will come out of Beta and be freely available on our website.  We expect to support live apps on the App Store sometime in January.
• Our intention is to provide the API for free to the majority of developers, with the free license having reasonable restrictions on usage rates, monetization, etc.

We created Bump because we were frustrated that it was so hard to interact with others in-person using our mobile phones.  We hope you find the Bump API a useful tool in your apps.

Happy Bumping,

-dave and the Bump Team

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David Lieb  |  Co-founder and CEO

Bump Technologies, Inc.

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