OpenSocial and the impending War

You may have read about OpenSocial, Google’s latest API release positioned as a unifying interface to the rapidly expanding number of social networks out there. It is interesting but I wouldn't hold my breath. I have seen unifying "standard" API's many, many times before in attempts to bridge all kinds of proprietary technologies from accessing SIM cards on mobile phones, remote system calls (anyone remember CORBA), to Bluetooth access to home automation devices. What usually happens? Competing "standard" API's get created and you are right back where you started.

A look into my crystal ball reveals...

Watch for Facebook, through their recent partnership with Microsoft, to release their own "standard" API for social network access that will directly compete with Google's OpenSocial.

Think about it. Why else would Microsoft pay $240 Million for a measly 1.6 percent stake? That is not Microsoft style. What is there style is to orchestrate their own standard they can control and use the weight of Facebook to give it momentum. What they bought was Facebook's support.

Comments

[Joe]

http://mashable.com/2007/12/12/facebook-opens-platform-architecture/

Lookin Dirty!