Last week was all about OpenSocial, Google's project that will tie together Google, MySpace and many other social networks in a common developer environment. The goal: one common set of code to create widgets from. This strikes at the very heart of Facebook's platform, which is not open and forces developers to use proprietary languages to create their widgets.
So, the big question this week will be: will Facebook bow to Google and join its OpenSocial club? The reality is that, for now, developers will create widgets for both Facebook and OpenSocial. Both have very large user bases. But long-term, Facebook risks its user base slowly leaking away and (re)turning to MySpace - or perhaps even niche social networks in the OpenSocial alliance - as more and more cool widgets get released on those other platforms.
Today I've read a couple of compelling posts arguing against OpenSocial (see Jack Schofield's post in the Guardian) and for Facebook (see Mark Cuban's post). And as our own Marshall Kirkpatrick and Josh Catone wrote, OpenSocial isn't that open and so perhaps Facebook doesn't have that much to be scared of.
What do you think: will Facebook join OpenSocial? Or will they snub Google and do their own thing? We're keen to know your opinion! Have your say in the poll below, and in the comments.
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This week's poll asks: will Facebook join Google's OpenSocial? The results so far: Yes 45% No 46% Open What? 9% From the comments on our original post, the 'Yes' camp think that Facebook will get more widgets, and "Web 2.0... Read More
Comments
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Openning facebook's door may be a good way to complete with SNS.facebook can't control all users.More coder help it develop more widget can help it improving better service.
Posted by: arqi | November 5, 2007 2:37 AMbut facebook can open its door without google.
I think they will, because they cannot deny why they're so promoted by people. Web 2.0 needs normalisation and open to continue to grow...
Posted by: Timothée | November 5, 2007 3:03 AMI think they'll have to. Otherwise it will become the game of 'us vs them',like Microsoft Vs Rest of World.
Posted by: varun | November 5, 2007 3:13 AMI think they will but not as quick as expected.
Posted by: OpenSocialHolic | November 5, 2007 3:26 AMAlso, "Should Facebook join OpenSocial?" poll is running here.
None of this matters. Until identity management and interoperability are clarified we can argue about this all day long but it won't matter a jot. And that's before we get to the question of whether Google has the ability to manage all the developers it thinks will come knocking on its API doors. Fact is this is half baked hype. Seen it all before and it ends the same way - in tears.
Posted by: Dennis Howlett | November 5, 2007 5:07 AMFacebook isn't joining any time soon. Once Open Social becomes a compelling reason to switch Social Networks, Facebook will be all over it. In the meantime, there's no reason for Facebook to open the exit doors.
Posted by: jon burg | November 5, 2007 7:34 AMHi there I hope that I'm not interupting anything but this is a great article.
Anyway I need your feedback on an evil masterplan that I'm up to. It's about getting loads of traffic through social media sites - It's the first post on my blog - let me know whether will it work or not :) Thanks
Posted by: Michael Woo | November 5, 2007 8:31 AMFacebook will have to join. Though it is the premier social networking site, how long can it continue to be a walled gardern? They will have to open up the doors very soon!
Posted by: MikeB | November 5, 2007 8:34 AMMethinks the Googleplex lost out to the Facesoft because they wouldn't sign-up. If this open social/widget platform spawns more vampiric ninja virtual poop throwing micro cr'apps, then it'll all be for naught.
The only thing all the writers reviewing this agree on is that only time will tell, we still some way from seeing the killer widget, the disruptor, that does what Skype did to the incumbent telephony industry, then we can better judge the value in a single developer environment.
Widgets are gaining traction, but we've yet to see brands adopting them, appvertising, offering widgets that provide a service rather than knock you unconscious with how 'great' their product or service is.
The widget space is a great space to innovate in, in design and development terms, we're just not seeing it yet.
Posted by: Adam Martin {Fat Man} | November 5, 2007 10:16 AMHow about a 'Who Cares' option? There's more on the internet than just facebook and google. :)
Posted by: Jason | November 5, 2007 10:18 AMfacebook doesn't force anyone to use anything, you can use fbml OR iframe (which means just standard html, css and js). Not only that but fbml is pretty cool for those who choose to use it as it takes load off your server and puts it on fb's. Also don't use "widgets" and "apps" as if they were synonyms, they're not, and at the heart of this lies the difference between the FB platform and open social. what is this techcrunch? I expect more from you guys!
Posted by: Steven Kalpakjian | November 5, 2007 11:03 AMthe answer is "they'll join when it's in their best interest to do so and right now it doesn't make sense." my $.02 as to why here-> http://www.scrollinondubs.com/2007/11/04/opensocial-facebook-orbitz-swa/
sean
Posted by: Sean Tierney | November 5, 2007 1:32 PM# 11: "Also don't use "widgets" and "apps" as if they were synonyms"
Huh? I didn't even mention "apps" in the post.
Posted by: Richard MacManus | November 5, 2007 2:11 PMaccording to your poll - opinions are split (50:50), I think Facebook still holds the decision.
Posted by: Taly Weiss | November 5, 2007 2:35 PMThey have to. When there was no standard their API sounded great, but now every new developer will question why they are not integrating with Open Social.
It would be a mistake in long run if they dont confirm to the standards.
Kiran
Posted by: Kiran | November 8, 2007 12:08 AMFounder of http://www.viddu.com
For Facebook to join OpenSocial would for one affirm Google's move and second putting their life blood into Google hands.
Facebook is still too young to start making such moves. Google could easily cripple them using OpenSocial.
Posted by: Donv69 | November 8, 2007 7:25 AM