Myspace joins OpenSocial - Facebook now on an island

[David Tan]

Facebook and their own personal APIs are really being left out.

With myspace joining the bandwagon into Google's OpenSocial, it's become a necessity for any social network that wants to thrive to join in. The fact that Google has the big players and a list of others is a success in itself. Something that google has pulled off and for the forseeable future will have NO competitor in this area except for Facebook if they remain stubborn.

Users are gonna demand Facebook to have 'OpenSocial' friendly apps. Truly with Saruman by Sauron's side, Google is truly conquering Middle-Social Network using his golden API ring to unite and enslave the kings of men and lure or isolate those pointy eared, holier than thou facebook elves.

[ZachW]

If Facebook has enough users (which they very much do), developers would still develop apps for them regardless of what API they're using. So I think it shouldn't concern Facebook much.

[David Tan]

And even if developers don't develop it themselves, facebook can develop it themselves. So no problems there. But when users have to use two different apps that don't sync the info and later on when apps are developed with more functions, chat, video, etc and they still have to use two apps (because they have profiles in different networks), it'll be a reason for many users to rethink adopting facebook and will receive many recommendations to choose something OpenSocial friendly. One thing, facebook is in competition with myspace. Giving your enemy an OpenSocial edge is knifing yourself in the back. Hope you survive with extensive surgery and the best surgeons.. so not worth it.

[Tephus]

If I was an app developer, I wouldn't mind porting my apps to all platforms. It's like the videogames market. Most release on several platforms to maximise profits.

[David Tan]

Yes, yes, yes, we've established the developers are willing to build several apps for several platforms. But it's a hassle for users to use severals apps for the same service. It's like opening login and opening yahoo messenger, msn messenger, icq, irc to message with different people. It'll be great to unify them with one app. But with exlusive apps for facebook and them not willing to join in the OpenSocial bandwagon, well... it's just a hassle for users and webmasters.