Google OpenSocial vs Facebook & MySpace

[David Tan]

Google OpenSocial, can't beat facebook & myspace, gave up with other social networks [readwriteweb.com]

Google is gathering social networks like Orkut, Salesforce, LinkedIn, Ning, Hi5, Plaxo, Friendster, Viadeo and more under it's set of three common APIs. that allow developers to access the following core functions and information at social networks:

It provides developers with access to the following info from the networks and develop related widgets and application that can be easily placed and implemented in websites.

• Profile Information
• Friends Information
• Activities

By taking social networking activities and info away from the social network itself and to conduct it through publisher websites, google is essentially controlling these interactions and will provide google with the ability to peddle a more social related ad channel that will feel less like an ad and more like a 'recommendation' from friends.

It makes it easy for developers since their using a common API and can easily come up with the widgets/programs.

So the Lesson to Learn here is:-
"1000 rats will butcher 1 cat"

[Tephus]

I think by now, the Facebook brand has almost reached cult status it would be very hard to convert users to another similar or slightly better platform.

[David Tan]

Which is why open social is such a sweet strategy to counter this. It's the promotion of open social against facebook which is two different things. With open social, webusers can do their social networking from their own websites and they can gather users together in their own websites with the right tools and cooperation from other networks. So open social apps will grow in it's adopters, especially from 'friends' from other networks requesting them to join in the 'fun'. Not necessarily that users will switch, but will be encouraged to have additional accounts in any one of these networks. Subsequently, their combine users will rival facebook. So, Open Social is a boost to growth in the attempt to outpace facebook and eventually in the long run, achieve dominance and downplay facebook's future appeal.

[SpaceBOT]

Watch out for Friendizens.com guys.. its' coming! and it's big! Even google might be scared silly!

[David Tan]

Well.... it's always good to have more opposition to the big brother of the internet. Promotes innovation and increases competition so that regular joes like us reap the benefits and also drives others to perform better.

Maybe Google will be scared, maybe. But not for long as they adapt like.... assasins in the dark. Smiling at the front but in the shadows... they silently stab a person in the back with their fabled sword, the 'Search Engine blade'.

May the most adaptive assassin wins.

[GreedIsGood]

Friendizens? Sounds scary...like denizens? Anyway, what're you going to have there?

[SpaceBOT]

David, you're really scary when you want to be! Dang GOOGLE the assasin! It used to be Microsoft.. now, microsoft is just a mini-softy!

[David Tan]

Microsoft seems to be happy being a cash cow. Sad, sad. If they rock the boat more, and considering the resources that they have, it'll really get things going in the world of the internet. It's like Microsoft became a rich old man. Want to maintain riches until they die so that they can enjoy life till the very end but losing teeth, vitality and maybe a bit slow in the brain. They came, they saw, they conquered... but will they rule the world or sink into oblivion? One thing can't be denied that despite all the bugs, Microsoft changed the world for the better. Now are we looking to Google to do the same?

[ZachW]

Microsoft is losing out, in terms of product value. More and more people are switching to Macs. Of course, their other businesses like the consoles are doing OK. It's a matter of time before they lose the top spot.