Three huge things happened this week: (1) we released our Service API today, (2) we introduced scripting support to our Mac and Windows clients, and (3) we enabled XML import/export of your notes and notebooks from the desktop clients. What does all this mean? In short, more freedom –the freedom to use the service and clients in exciting, new ways. Let’s take it step-by-step.

Service API

Launching the Service API means that third party developers can now do all sorts of innovative things with Evernote. Want to create a new Evernote client? Go for it. Want to hook Evernote into your favorite calendaring or to-do app? Knock yourself out. Of course trust and security are important, that’s why you will always be asked to explicitly authorize any third-party access to your account. And once you’ve authorized them, then let the good times roll.

Here’s an example of an upcoming integration: Say you’re a Salesforce.com user. You’re keeping track of all your activities and customer interactions, but transferring your meeting notes and business cards is a real drag. An Evernote integration called Note Wizard will soon make this annoyance a thing of the past. Easily link your Evernote notes with your Salesforce.com account. The integration takes advantage of our text recognition, so, among other things, you can turn business card photos into searchable contacts. Track development progress on the Note Wizard blog.

Ok, so maybe you’re not a traveling salesmen, but just think about all the great possibilities when you mash up our amazing technology with your (other) favorite applications. Rock Band integration? That’s just crazy enough to work.

Go to the Evernote API page

Mac and Windows Scripting

Ever wanted to turn Evernote into a Rube Goldberg-like event? Now you can. Scripting allows you to automate various processes, as well as integrate Evernote with other scriptable applications. Interested in pulling an RSS feed into Evernote? Now you can. Want all document scans to automatically become an Evernote note in a specific notebook. Not a problem. The possibilities are endless.

Go to the Evernote for Developers page

Import + Export = Data Portability

Both Evernote for Mac and Evernote for Windows are now in the import/export business. You can export and import notes and notebooks from Evernote for Windows to Evernote for Mac and vice versa. The file is a well-defined XML, which means that your Evernote data is completely portable. This also means that developers can build tools to import notes from various applications into Evernote.

Download the latest Mac and Windows clients.

This is a major step forward for Evernote and we’re incredibly excited to see what all of you create. So, please tell us what you’re doing with the API here in the comments, on Twitter, on Friendfeed, or just about anywhere else. Have fun.