Plugin API

The Plugin API is an upcoming feature that allows modders to easily add more content to the game. In contrast to mods, plugins will not require any alteration of the minecraft.jar itself. But they will also be slightly limited in their featureset. The Bukkit team will help making the Official Plugin API and initial versions of the Plugin API will be released in a couple of months.

The Plugin API has been planned in some capacity since at least July 5, 2010, shortly after the release of. The release was originally planned for 1.3, then for 1.4, and then it was accidentally stated by Curse that it would be implemented in 1.5, but has since been delayed.

You can get access to the new API here while it's being developed https://github.com/Mojang/Minecraft-API

Features
It is planned, that plugins shall be as easy as possible to find, download, and install. The API will not be the same as Bukkit.

The following features are planned as part of the Plugin API:
 * Plugins will be multiplayer compatible.
 * It aims to make mods (to be known as plugins) easier to install and less prone to destroy your game.
 * The Minecraft website will be revamped, helping to bring the most interesting community plugins and custom maps to the surface.
 * It will be easier to add and animate models.
 * Changing the way the game stores data regarding its many materials and items
 * Support for in-game persistent servers.
 * "So we’ll integrate our own server provider in the game. Our hosting service will probably be too simple for the hardcore who buy servers now; we’ll aim for servers with eight-to-ten people max."

- Jeb

At MineCon 2012 Mojang shared their vision for the future of the mod API. The full presentation can be watched here: