If you make a web application or mobile platform, one of the trendiest things you can do is add APIs and a software marketplace to it so developers will extend your product. Google is previewing its application market for Android, T-Mobile USA has promised a new applications store for its phones, and many people believe Microsoft bought Danger in order to get its software store technology.

The idea of encouraging third party developers dates back at least to the early days of MS-DOS, but it was associated mostly with operating systems until Web 2.0 applications took off a few years ago. Google played a big role in that change, by exposing APIs to Google Maps that made it possible to embed maps in other web applications. That helped Google Maps quickly blow past established mapping services like Mapquest, while the installed base of Google Maps extensions made it hard for Microsoft’s Web mapping product to gain traction.

The drive for web APIs got another big boost when Facebook enabled developers to extend its functionality, driving an explosion of widgets for Facebook that helped it grow past MySpace to become the #1 social network in the US.

Microsoft and Research In Motion announced they are working together to integrate rich Live Search capabilities into the BlackBerry Browser and BlackBerry Maps.

BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to use Microsoft Live Search as their search engine of choice within the BlackBerry Browser as well as access Live Search on Mobile.BlackBerry.com. Live Search will leverage the wireless data optimization capabilities of the BlackBerry solution to deliver results quickly while users are on the go. BlackBerry smartphone customers will also be able to use Live Search to perform contextual, location-sensitive searches or look for nearby points of interest from inside BlackBerry Maps.

MySpace and Research In Motion announced they are joining forces to develop an integrated MySpace Mobile experience customized for BlackBerry smartphones. The new MySpace for BlackBerry smartphones application is fully optimized to deliver rich content and data to users on the go. MySpace for BlackBerry smartphones integrates MySpace’s main social networking components with the BlackBerry platform to provide instant, push-based messaging to BlackBerry and MySpace users. The application will be available in all BlackBerry markets globally.

Slacker and Research In Motion announced plans for Slacker to provide a free Slacker Personal Radio application, exclusively for BlackBerry smartphones, that will enable listeners to hear their favorite Slacker radio stations wherever they go–even when not connected to a wireless network.

The Slacker application will provide BlackBerry smartphone users in the U.S. with a robust, high-fidelity personalized music discovery and listening experience pulling from over 100 expertly programmed Slacker stations, over 10,000 artist stations or their own custom-created stations.

SanDisk announced the 32GB SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash (CF) card, the latest addition to its SanDisk Extreme III line. Combining world-class storage capacity with fast data transfer rates, SanDisk’s new memory card is designed to meet the demands of professional digital videographers and photographers. For many cards, an increase in storage capacity often comes at a cost to speed, but the 32GB SanDisk Extreme III CF card at 30 megabytes per second (MB/s) offers customers the best of both worlds.

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AOL and Research In Motion announced the availability of AOL’s AIM and ICQ instant messaging services as well as AOL Mail on BlackBerry smartphones. The deep integration of AOL’s popular communications services with BlackBerry smartphones will allow consumers around the world to seamlessly access AOL’s most popular services directly from their BlackBerry smartphone and communicate in real-time with business associates, family, friends and other contacts.

HanDBase is coming to iPhone. For over a decade, HanDBase has been among the top mobile database applications for Palm, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Symbian devices as DDH Software developed versions for each platform. Since first introduced in 1998, HanDBase has enabled owners of mobile devices to take their most vital information with them while on-the-go. HanDBase allows mobile device users to store volumes of data that can be easily viewed, edited, filtered, sorted, and searched whenever needed.

Research In Motion unveiled the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphone, the first BlackBerry phone to come in the popular flip form factor.

The new BlackBerry Pearl Flip provides flip phone fans with all the power of a BlackBerry smartphone in a fun and familiar design. One quick flip of the handset opens up a world of possibilities with the industry’s leading mobile messaging solution and a wide range of impressive Internet and multimedia capabilities, all in one powerful yet approachable smartphone. You can send a message to your friends or family, make a call, browse the web, snap a picture, watch a video or listen to your favorite song. It’s all in your control with a simple flip.

Sprint customers seeking the benefits of push-to-talk services and the power of BlackBerry smartphones will have a new version of the coveted combo available later this year. Sprint and Research In Motion announced plans to deliver the BlackBerry Curve 8350i–the newest Nextel Direct Connect-capable BlackBerry smartphone–by the end of 2008.