Google sets pricing for app hosting service

Google cites competitors like Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud service but said the differentiator is App Engine's focus on Web development. "It's a platform aimed specifically at making Web development easier," Koomen said.

Developers have the option of using Google's AdSense service, an advertising platform for Web publishers.

Also at the conference, Google is unveiling GWT (Google Web Toolkit) Release Candidate 1.5. GWT enables developers to develop and debug Web applications in Java and then deploy them as JavaScript. This sidesteps common AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) problems like browser compatibility and provides performance and productivity gains, Google said.

Version 1.5 includes Java 5 language capabilities, including Java 5 syntax support. Java generics, enumerated types, annotations, auto-boxing, and variable parameter lists are enabled as part of Java 5 backing.

Also, the compiler in version 1.5 produces faster code. This is done by performing deep inlining, better dead code elimination, and other forms of enhanced static analysis, Google said.

GWT features libraries to build AJAX, including reusable libraries for implementing user interfaces, data structures, client/server communication, internationalization, and accessibility.