How to add an extension to your Google Wave

In this post you will learn about how to add an extension to your Google Wave account.  What is a Google Wave extension? According to Google, a “Wave extension is a way to augment the functionality of waves and the wave client.”  In other words a Wave Extension enhances your interaction with it.

Google’s Wave at this point of time is open only to invitees.  If you do not have one go here and get your Google Wave invite.

Go here, browse through and select the extension you like.  Copy the extension id.  It looks similar to an email id. Eg.(bardbot@appspot.com)

Now sign into your wave account.  To the left of your screen, beneath the Navigation Bar, at the lower end you will find your contacts list.

Right beneath the list you will find “Manage contacts”.

Next to the manage contacts you will find a “+” mark.  Click on it.

It opens a new window. Add a new contact.  Paste the extension id into the address text box you see there.  If it is listed in the Google Wave’s approved extensions list, it would ask, “Add abcd@appspot.com?”.  Click on the ’submit’ button. Now you will find it in your contact list.

Now how do you interact with it?

There are two ways to do that.

One  – Type out the name in the contact search box, find it and click on it.  Click on the New Wave you see for the contact.
Two – Scroll through the contact list.  Find it and repeat step one.

You are ready to go.

Go wave and have fun