eWhisper - 12:06 am on Jan 22, 2005 (gmt 0)

The API is currently in beta release, and is being tested by a handful of companies.

Google is choosing who to use as beta testers as much by what they can learn (Google does need to check on security issues, wanted features, etc), as by company spend.

The fact that the API is suppose to be released this year is no secret, and has been talked about for quite some months.

Google realized they needed to reach out to the agencies a while ago, and have taken steps to do so. The professional program was just one aspect in a larger goal.

This should be a fun year dealing with G - but then again, isn't it always ;)