Unfortunately, space is limited during Google App Engine's preview release. As we expand, we'll invite more developers, but for now you'll have to wait.
Would you like to be notified by email when space becomes available?
Of course you can be added to a "Waiting list" so when they decide to invite more developers or make the service live you will be announced, so sign up here if interested: Google App Engine.
For those that were able to get an account with Google App Engine they will be able to create web applications that use up to 500Mb of persistent storage and that generate less than 5 million pageviews/month. When Google App Engine will be generally available (in the future...) any developer will be able to start with the free "version", and as their application grows they can purchase additional computing resources.
This preview release of Google App Engine actually contains two sections: a hosting environment that uses the Google infrastructure (same thing Google uses for its services) and that is built for highly trafficked web applications, and a Google App Engine SDK that you can use to develop a web application. So even if the free hosting accounts were all given (those 10,000) this doesn't mean you cannot start creating your application using the SDK - it can be downloaded here: Google App Engine SDK.
Ok this targets developers, but how does this benefit the normal user, one that does think of a snake when hearing about Python? Well luckily Google made available a section of web applications that use the Google App Engine SDK, which can be accessed here: Google App Engine gallery. While I doubt any of those have reached the 5 million pageviews/month mark, right now there are only a few applications in there, and most of them either reinvent the wheel or simply don't work. A few examples:
- Vorby - everything movie-quote-related, you can add quotes, search for quotes, rate/comment/mark inaccurate. Useful if you're trying to find out where a thing like "This is Sparta" everybody talks about was said. Of course many other sites such as IMDB offer this service too.
- Huddlechat - it's similar to Campfire (actually "too" similar), so a way to chat with multiple people and share things (code snippets, images, links, files) supposedly a way to ease project management.
- gCrush - I'm not sure if this application is a joke or they had some problems, because it returns an invalid page. It was supposed to be a dating site for Google users...
Similar projects are offered by Amazon (S3) and SalesForce (AppExchange), only these require payment. Given its close relation with SalesForce, I would say Google is up to something and I can bet that this year they'll do a major purchase (well beside Doubleclick). Or maybe this is the kernel for a future online Google Operating System.
