Google’s OpenSocial is live – MySpace, Orkut, Hi5, LinkedIn, Ning open up
Google’s OpenSocial is live, and so is the hope of all those startups who want to build apps for social networks (without struggling to create one!).
What’s OpenSocial?
OpenSocial is a “Learn once, write anywhere” set of common APIs that will work on many different social websites, including MySpace, Hi5, Ning, orkut, and LinkedIn, among others. In addition, this allows developers to learn one API, then write a social application for any of those sites.
The opportunities for such meta-network-apps are immense – as a partner/app provider, you need to invest your energy in learning Google APIs and building your app. Like Java, your app will be portable across multiple social networks (so you get access to all FB/MySpace/Linkedin etc users).
All the major social networks (Orkut/Linkedin, hi5/MySpace/Ning etc) have already enabled their platform for Google’s OpenSocial platfom (it would be foolish to not do so).
This will surely change the game plan of social networks and will see the pendulum swinging Google’s way.
Will OpenSocial witness a reverse pattern of social networks running after developers for licensing their apps? Will OpenSocial commoditze the app space?
Only time will tell.
Unlike Yahoo’s Mash, Google was smart in realizing that Orkut can’t break into US social networks and the next best alternative was NOT to build another network, but be a meta-network, and enable those who want to build apps for these networks.
At the end of the day, even if FaceBook goes down the drain, MySpace becomes #1, LinkedIn bombs, i.e. whatever happens, Google will ensure that they provide the fodder to networkers.
Interestingly, why is FaceBook not a part of the partner list? Any guesses?
Watch the OpenSocial video. See the partner list.
There is a difference in telling time vs. building a clock. Google prefers latter.
What’s your take on OpenSocial?
tags: opensocial
Also see: our earlier rant on M$/FB deal.
About the author - Ashish Sinha is a Startup Mentor/Product Strategy Coach, and the founder/chief editor of pluGGd.in.
He has launched/managed couple of products (consumer as well as enterprise) in US and India, and now consults with startups/small businesses on their product/media strategy. He can be reached at: ashish (at) pluGGd.in [+91 98452 06443]
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“There is a difference in telling time vs. building a clock. Google prefers latter.”: Awesome line.
In this openSocial, no one Wins only Google Wins. and Big player will still MySpace.
From Reliable source: Top SNS Giants with Google Guys have planed to do this to Kill FaceBook which is heavely backed my MS.
Definitely Aashish, I see OpenSocial becoming a killer API which will possibly suck out the entire blood of Facebook.
Google has its own way of doing things.
Cheers
Vaibhav
Awesome analysis! Google smashed Y!’s mash – now that is called innovation
“Will OpenSocial witness a reverse pattern of social networks running after developers for licensing their apps? ” Don’t see this happening, if I am app developer, I’d be more than happy to run my app on all networks as long as its relevant. very soon we’ll see category of apps that’ll run on certain social networks….I mean how many movie quizzes will you really see on LinkedIn?
Will OpenSocial commoditze the app space? Don’t think OpenSocial is doing anything special here, FB already opened the doors to commoditization…..it’s a land grab, get your users fast before you get slotted as me too.
“telling time vs. building a clock. Google prefers latter.” Not sure who you are referring to with the telling time metaphor, because Facebook was building a clock too it only turned out that their’s was less sophisticated than Google’s. Maybe the LinkedIn’s of the world belong to the telling time category….but in an evolved ecosystem you need both the clock maker and the time teller to co-exist…..
Google’s OpenSocial and Muziboo.com…
I am very excited (as is everyone else) on OpenSocial’s launch. Most of the users for Muziboo.com are members of orkut and we are planning to roll out a few applications over the next week or so to help them showcase their music to their friends….
Sunil – potentially apps that can work in FB can also run in Hi5, or MySpace to a certain extent. So, essentially, Google is trying to level that playground.
telling time vs..- well, FB opened up it’s API but of course that was only for FB site..Google has gone a level above all these SNs and enabled startups/app developers to create site independent app. They are building the platform, and not a product.
“but in an evolved ecosystem you need both the clock maker and the time teller to co-exist….” Yes! you need both of them, it’s just that there are a few players who can only tell time. while there are evolved players who can build clocks!
“it’s just that there are a few players who can only tell time. while there are evolved players who can build clocks!” – Google always builds platforms while other players tell the time!
Great article !
If the OpenSocial partners list is anything to go by, we are in for a paradigm shift as far as web-apps are developed/deployed.
Nice article!
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