Google is announcing a new social networking API (application program interface) called "OpenSocial." OpenSocial will provide an easy way for web sites to obtain "reference" material for tailoring their presentation for visitors.
OpenSocial is a set of three common APIs allowing developers to access core functions and information at social networks:
Participating social networks include Google's own Orkut, Salesforce, LinkedIn, Ning, Hi5, Plaxo, Friendster, Viadeo and Oracle. Developers include Flixster, iLike, RockYou and Slide.
OpenSocial will be documented (beginning November 1 at http://code.google.com/apis/opensocial .
Links:
Michael Arrington, Details Revealed: Google OpenSocial To Launch Thursday, October 30 2007. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/30/details-revealed-google-opensocial-to-be-common-apis-for-building-social-apps/
Marc Andersen, Open Social: a new universe of social applications all over the web, Oct 31, 2007. http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/10/open-social-a-n.html . Marc Andersen is founder of Netscape and Ning
Miguel Helft and Brad Stone, Google and Friends to Gang Up on Facebook, New York Times, October 31, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/technology/31google.html
