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A Big Week for Wolfram|Alpha

Stephen Wolfram

There’s a lot going on in the Wolfram|Alpha project these days—and this week there’s a remarkable convergence of events.

Late last week we introduced the Wolfram|Alpha Webservice API, allowing outside developers to call Wolfram|Alpha from their websites or application programs.

Then yesterday we released the first mobile implementation of Wolfram|Alpha, in the form of an iPhone app.

Tomorrow, we’re doing something completely different: Wolfram|Alpha Homework Day—a 14-hour live webcast event for students and educators.

Oh, and starting on Thursday is the International Mathematica User Conference, which will show many advances in the core Mathematica technology on which Wolfram|Alpha is based.

In May we launched Wolfram|Alpha as a major website. But the website is really just the tip of an iceberg. Wolfram|Alpha is a whole technology that can be deployed and used in all sorts of ways.

This week we’re seeing some of the diversity of what can be done. The API as a tool for developers. The iPhone app as a consumer product. And Homework Day as a community event that Wolfram|Alpha enables.

My approach to managing R&D is to maintain a portfolio of ongoing projects, short-term and long-term. There’s an amazing amount in the pipeline for Wolfram|Alpha, which will emerge on timescales from weeks to years.

I’m very proud of the achievements of our various teams that we’re seeing this week. The diversity of what’s becoming possible with Wolfram|Alpha is surprising even us. There are a lot of very exciting things to come…

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156 comments

  1. This service has been supremely useful! My school uses Mathematica, but I don’t own it personally. It’s quite handy to be able to run simpler calculations using Alpha from my computer. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    Aaron
    October 20, 2009 at 5:08 pm 10/20/2009 at 5:08 pm

  2. Are there any plans for releasing an Android application for Wolfram|Alpha? I’m quite interested.

    Reply
    Spencer
    October 21, 2009 at 9:27 pm 10/21/2009 at 9:27 pm

  3. Historically we have not thought too much of ubiquitous scientific computing. With the API, I see a vast variety of combined applications of the knowledge engine with specialized pre- and postprocessing, all widely accessible, if we want.

    Reply
    Herbert Exner
    October 22, 2009 at 10:05 am 10/22/2009 at 10:05 am

  4. I can’t wait to start work!

    Reply
    Taliesin Beynon
    October 24, 2009 at 6:56 pm 10/24/2009 at 6:56 pm

  5. Please work an equivalent WA app for Android! That OS is growing and the users are certainly the Mathematica type.

    Reply
    Jake
    October 31, 2009 at 9:36 pm 10/31/2009 at 9:36 pm

  6. Just adding to the other requests for a Wolfram|Alpha application for Android. I know it must be annoying to have just developed one app you’re proud of only to have a bunch of people request the same app on another platform, but please do it anyway!

    Reply
    Martin
    November 13, 2009 at 2:59 pm 11/13/2009 at 2:59 pm

  7. +1 for the Android app. Thanks.

    Reply
    Vilis
    November 16, 2009 at 12:39 am 11/16/2009 at 12:39 am

  8. I like this app for the android too!
    Please

    Reply
    emanuel
    November 18, 2009 at 10:08 am 11/18/2009 at 10:08 am

  9. +1 for android application

    Reply
    adam
    November 18, 2009 at 2:20 pm 11/18/2009 at 2:20 pm

  10. i++ for andriod app

    Reply
    joe
    November 19, 2009 at 8:09 pm 11/19/2009 at 8:09 pm

  11. +2 for the Android platform app. We need our computational fix

    Reply
    Aaron G.
    November 20, 2009 at 1:47 am 11/20/2009 at 1:47 am

  12. I haven’t seen anything in “A new Kind of Science” yet that indicates this, but several simple programs are sensitive to the WIDTH of the display. 109 is especially sensitive. POD

    Reply
    Paul Diedrich
    November 23, 2009 at 7:39 pm 11/23/2009 at 7:39 pm

  13. I too would like to have this app for Android. However, seeing the price tag of the iPhone version, I don’t think it will happen anytime soon, especially since Android has at the moment far fewer mobile phones. So the price might be even higher than $50 for the Android platform. Even so, could we get an official statement regarding this request?

    Reply
    CosminB
    November 28, 2009 at 5:52 pm 11/28/2009 at 5:52 pm

  14. +1 for an Android app!

    Reply
    Andy
    December 1, 2009 at 9:34 pm 12/01/2009 at 9:34 pm

  15. Android Application Please.. thanks

    Reply
    Fiaz Idris
    December 12, 2009 at 12:43 pm 12/12/2009 at 12:43 pm

  16. Android app PLEASE

    Reply
    Elvin
    December 15, 2009 at 10:05 am 12/15/2009 at 10:05 am

  17. and what about an android app ? :)

    Reply
    bob
    December 17, 2009 at 11:36 am 12/17/2009 at 11:36 am

  18. same here. I will never use an iPhone simply because its Mac. Android please!

    Reply
    john
    December 21, 2009 at 11:50 pm 12/21/2009 at 11:50 pm

  19. +1 for an android app!

    Reply
    Lefteris
    January 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm 01/03/2010 at 12:00 pm

  20. + 1 for the android app.

    Reply
    Mattias
    January 10, 2010 at 8:37 pm 01/10/2010 at 8:37 pm

  21. Android version is needed!

    Reply
    Przemek
    January 14, 2010 at 7:06 pm 01/14/2010 at 7:06 pm

  22. +12 for an android app!

    Reply
    Andi
    January 21, 2010 at 11:30 am 01/21/2010 at 11:30 am

  23. ++ Android App please

    Reply
    AP
    January 21, 2010 at 1:19 pm 01/21/2010 at 1:19 pm

  24. ++ Android ;
    // I want this app for android too !

    Reply
    Boyforandroid
    January 22, 2010 at 6:11 pm 01/22/2010 at 6:11 pm

  25. Another vote for the android app! :D

    Reply
    Wyatt
    January 26, 2010 at 11:45 pm 01/26/2010 at 11:45 pm

  26. I would also like to see an android application for this website. Android is a growing o s with, what someone said earlier lots of interested users. I’m using my android phone right now i’m not even typing I’m using the speech function to type the words. Awesome !

    Reply
    emanuel
    January 28, 2010 at 7:54 pm 01/28/2010 at 7:54 pm

  27. +\[Infinity] for android

    Reply
    Joel
    January 29, 2010 at 11:37 am 01/29/2010 at 11:37 am

  28. i too would like an android port

    Reply
    mike
    January 31, 2010 at 2:15 pm 01/31/2010 at 2:15 pm

  29. Is there any chance of a port to android?

    Reply
    reuven
    February 2, 2010 at 10:27 am 02/02/2010 at 10:27 am

  30. +1 for the Android app!

    Reply
    Stefano
    February 3, 2010 at 7:21 am 02/03/2010 at 7:21 am

  31. Android App request ++ as well! I’ve been playing with the website interface and it’s amazing! Forget Jeeves, I’m asking Wolfram Alpha!

    Reply
    Russell
    February 3, 2010 at 5:33 pm 02/03/2010 at 5:33 pm

  32. Came here looking for an Android app, if you make it I’ll use it!

    Reply
    android app plz
    February 4, 2010 at 2:34 pm 02/04/2010 at 2:34 pm

  33. +++++ANDROID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    Pedro
    February 8, 2010 at 12:04 pm 02/08/2010 at 12:04 pm

  34. Android app please…

    Reply
    steve
    February 11, 2010 at 2:47 pm 02/11/2010 at 2:47 pm

  35. Another voice in support of an android version of the application.

    We are the earlier adopters, and an open development environment makes interesting and unexpected hybrid applications based on alpha more likely.

    Reply
    Silas Davis
    February 15, 2010 at 5:46 am 02/15/2010 at 5:46 am

  36. yet some more support for the “give us an android app” vote ;-)

    Reply
    jens
    February 17, 2010 at 4:44 am 02/17/2010 at 4:44 am

  37. Android please!

    Reply
    Jim
    February 17, 2010 at 4:41 pm 02/17/2010 at 4:41 pm

  38. Please make this app for Android!!!

    Reply
    Kevin
    February 17, 2010 at 10:47 pm 02/17/2010 at 10:47 pm

  39. I agree with everyone else. Android app, please!

    Reply
    Justin Wilson
    February 18, 2010 at 5:47 pm 02/18/2010 at 5:47 pm

  40. +1 Android App please!!!

    Reply
    John
    February 22, 2010 at 8:12 pm 02/22/2010 at 8:12 pm

  41. +1 on android app, thanks!

    Reply
    IT Support
    March 1, 2010 at 6:34 am 03/01/2010 at 6:34 am

  42. An android app would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
    Bora Gurel
    March 1, 2010 at 1:58 pm 03/01/2010 at 1:58 pm

  43. Another plea for an Android app!

    Reply
    Trey Darley
    March 4, 2010 at 2:43 pm 03/04/2010 at 2:43 pm

  44. +1 on android app, thanks!

    Reply
    random consultant
    March 5, 2010 at 6:21 am 03/05/2010 at 6:21 am

  45. +1 for android!

    Reply
    David Auth
    March 6, 2010 at 3:08 pm 03/06/2010 at 3:08 pm

  46. +1 for android application. Would love to use this on my Nexus One. Would buy it in a heartbeat =D

    Reply
    Ryan
    March 8, 2010 at 1:17 am 03/08/2010 at 1:17 am

  47. I really really need it in my android phone. With the google nexus one released, i am sure many people are longing to have it. Hope wolfram will support the growing android community.

    +1 for Android

    Reply
    Jackin
    March 12, 2010 at 12:27 am 03/12/2010 at 12:27 am

  48. Please bring it to Android OS

    Reply
    Bhumir
    March 15, 2010 at 11:41 am 03/15/2010 at 11:41 am

  49. Android App Please!!! Would be so helpful.

    Reply
    Fletcher
    March 17, 2010 at 9:32 pm 03/17/2010 at 9:32 pm

  50. requesting android support, the android platform is going to be big. I probably wont buy another phone without it :)

    Reply
    Brett
    March 18, 2010 at 4:42 pm 03/18/2010 at 4:42 pm

  51. Android please!

    Reply
    Whitenexx
    March 22, 2010 at 5:04 am 03/22/2010 at 5:04 am

  52. +1 for an Android app!

    Reply
    Lloyd Sloan
    March 22, 2010 at 12:52 pm 03/22/2010 at 12:52 pm

  53. Waiting for Android

    Reply
    xx8833
    March 23, 2010 at 2:21 am 03/23/2010 at 2:21 am

  54. Android please. Smart people dont use an iphone.

    Reply
    nak
    March 24, 2010 at 5:00 pm 03/24/2010 at 5:00 pm

  55. android app, +1. kindly please :)

    Reply
    chris
    March 31, 2010 at 3:35 am 03/31/2010 at 3:35 am

  56. umm guys.. almost every comment on iPhone app is a request for android app.. I think you made the app for the wrong platform :D

    +1 for Android :D

    Reply
    Ivan
    March 31, 2010 at 8:12 am 03/31/2010 at 8:12 am

  57. ANDROIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!! please

    Reply
    Yogesh Girdhar
    April 1, 2010 at 7:47 am 04/01/2010 at 7:47 am

  58. Another vote for an Android app here! I’ll never use an iPhone as long as there’s an alternative as great as Android, it has come to stay so better just get it over with!

    Reply
    Tarjei Husøy
    April 9, 2010 at 2:03 pm 04/09/2010 at 2:03 pm

  59. one more +1 for android

    Reply
    Emanuel
    April 20, 2010 at 8:21 am 04/20/2010 at 8:21 am

  60. Once again +1 for android!! :D pretty please :)

    Reply
    Tor
    April 22, 2010 at 6:54 pm 04/22/2010 at 6:54 pm

  61. One more for an Android version! Please :-)

    Reply
    Snark
    April 23, 2010 at 4:16 pm 04/23/2010 at 4:16 pm

  62. why develop this for the iphone? smart people who need this app, have a android phone

    Reply
    bart
    April 24, 2010 at 3:21 pm 04/24/2010 at 3:21 pm

  63. +1 for an Android app!

    Reply
    Ricardo
    May 13, 2010 at 1:58 pm 05/13/2010 at 1:58 pm

  64. +1 for android too thanks.

    Reply
    spyzy
    May 15, 2010 at 8:21 pm 05/15/2010 at 8:21 pm

  65. +1 for ANDROID PLs

    Reply
    Hades
    May 17, 2010 at 5:17 pm 05/17/2010 at 5:17 pm

  66. Just adding to the pleas for an android app!! I will help port!

    Reply
    mike mancini
    May 19, 2010 at 2:04 pm 05/19/2010 at 2:04 pm

  67. Android seems to be popular here. :-)

    Anyway, yes, I would make some use of an Android app. ;-)

    Reply
    Gustavo Niemeyer
    June 4, 2010 at 4:34 pm 06/04/2010 at 4:34 pm

  68. Are guys even reading this? This is the first page to pop up when you search for “wolfram android”, hence the many requests. Because we would very much like to be noticed (android users, that is).

    Reply
    Mikey
    June 8, 2010 at 4:21 pm 06/08/2010 at 4:21 pm

  69. +1 for android :)

    Reply
    dominik
    June 9, 2010 at 8:44 am 06/09/2010 at 8:44 am

  70. i vote for an android app version too

    Reply
    sergio
    June 9, 2010 at 3:12 pm 06/09/2010 at 3:12 pm

  71. yes…android app!!!!!!!

    Reply
    josh
    June 10, 2010 at 1:43 pm 06/10/2010 at 1:43 pm

  72. wolfram|alpha app for android plz :) I have so many questions and wolfram|alpha has so many answers!

    Reply
    nick hamilton
    June 14, 2010 at 5:32 pm 06/14/2010 at 5:32 pm

  73. +1 for Android ;)

    Reply
    Stefan Kiesel
    June 22, 2010 at 11:47 am 06/22/2010 at 11:47 am

  74. Hi I work in IT support and Wolfram makes my life much easier! Would love to have an app on my Android phone, so +1 on android.
    P.S. If you’re a network geek check out the “Web and Computer Systems” examples here: http://www.wolframalpha.com/examples/WebAndComputerSystems.html

    Reply
    IT Support Guy
    June 22, 2010 at 10:06 pm 06/22/2010 at 10:06 pm

  75. While [ WA_Port != anroid , request++ ] !!!

    I think android is the fastest growing mobile OS and is popular among the geeky type rather than iPhone (which btw is used mostly by “art” type of folk). Wolfram should considering porting the WA app to Anroid on priority.

    Reply
    Sam
    July 6, 2010 at 2:20 am 07/06/2010 at 2:20 am

  76. +3.1415 for Android!

    Reply
    PiEater
    July 8, 2010 at 4:14 am 07/08/2010 at 4:14 am

  77. Android please…more than alpha, any way I could just use Mathematica on DroidX?

    Reply
    MuttM
    July 16, 2010 at 12:13 pm 07/16/2010 at 12:13 pm

  78. Another vote for Android! I would note that making an iPhone app was a mistake in the first place: from what I see from various forums, you will get over an order of magnitude more Android users than those with iPhones.

    Reply
    Alex
    July 18, 2010 at 1:18 pm 07/18/2010 at 1:18 pm

  79. Totally agree with Alex…

    Wolfram goes ANDROID !!!

    Reply
    Kai
    August 4, 2010 at 3:34 am 08/04/2010 at 3:34 am

  80. I am typing this on my android. Guess my opinion from the previous comments.:)

    Reply
    henrik
    August 16, 2010 at 10:57 am 08/16/2010 at 10:57 am