Platforms create value by providing users with a variety of applications that run on the same environment. It is very difficult for a single provider to create all the applications that a user needs. As a result, platform providers allow third parties access to their platforms through application program interfaces. This allows software developers to launch new applications that rely on previously created applications. For a guide to Google's APIs click this
link.
Google's decision to join the Open Invention Network (
OIN) is meant to support a similar strategy with regards to the Linux platform.