There are many useful API’s out there for web development these days, in this article we review the top three you should certainly check out for displaying multimedia on websites you are developing.

Screen Toaster

Screen Toaster is the application that I find the most useful. Constructed in Java the application allows you to capture your screen as you use it as a MOV, FLV, upload it to YouTube or the Screen Toaster site, all directly from your web browser, check out the video made by Screen Toaster demoing Screen Toaster below.

As you can see the application is easy to use and more importantly free, another great feature (which this post is more about), is that the Screen Toaster site provides an API so you can add the application to your own website and predefine the settings, this includes a forwarding URL for when users have finished capturing video and the option for users to embed and edit their video afterwards. You can also set whether the video is private or viewable to the public.

All in all this application is perfect for presentations, help desk support or even repeating problems on websites, the development is going at a rapid pace so we expect this application to be extraordinary in 2010.

Issuu

Issuu is or Issuu you ain’t huh? The Issuu application allows you to convert any PDF in to a flick-able book or magazine complete with full screen functionality, extended zooming options (good for accessibility), bookmarks, custom styling and even add background music.

The application is a powerful way to add any type of PDF document to a website to help visitors engage with it in context, whether it’s a technical manual, e-magazine, newsletter, presentation or guide. The interface is slick, and the customisation options are perfect, moreover the application can handle any type of PDF file, in any size and DPI, check out the example below.

The best bit about this application (as the title suggests, you may be bored of this repetitiousness lark soon) is that it has a fully realised API allowing you to create a form on your website and upload any PDF to the Issuu site for use on yours. Many settings are available including the option to create a private store only you can see, allowing you to make those boring sales proposals ‘pop’ write out of the page (do you like the sales speak I crept in there).

With the web turning more to dynamic and rich content, we see this application as step in the right direction when you want to present a document in context in a fun and accessible way.

Odeo

With podcasts becoming ever popular, Odeo provides you with a free hosting solution that will allow your shows or productions to be heard.

The application allows you to uplaod as many podcasts as you want to create to your very own channel complete with playlists. Users visiting the Odeo site can search for your content, play through any playlists you may have setup and choose to share your podcast in various ways.

The most interesting thing about this site is using an API it allows you to place a player on any website you like to play a single podcast, a playlist or whole channel, perfect for allowing users to listen to your podcasts without ever leaving your website, an example player is just below.

I hope you found these API’s useful, if you have any questions or suggestions feel free to pop them in the comments section below.