Well, I’m sure you have all seen the news – “OpenSocial Foundation launches with Google, Yahoo, MySpace“. But, did anyone also catch this headline – “Microsoft Partners with Top Social Networks to Put Users at the Center of their Data“? Before giving my opinion… lets got over the roster for each announcement:
In the OpenSocial corner we have:
- Yahoo (Note how Yahoo is with Google)
- MySpace
In the other corner we have:
- Microsoft
- Bebo
- Hii5
- Tagged
Wow… I admit that the MS announcement is less ambitious in scope then the Google announcement. But, I think the MS announcement is contact sharing only in name. In the end, there very well might be social networking standards war brewing. Sides are being chosen… and the goal is to allow data sharing. :>)
Needless to say, while this should be interesting, I for one wish providers would just agree to agree. There are already enough competing standards, bodies, groups… and such. Walking the balanced road between them all gets old. :
Lastly, just as an FYI, I plan on wrapping up the authentication series that I was working on. Sorry, I just haven’t felt like writing about it. Also, I’m working on lining some interviews with industry people that I happen to know. Figured that might be interesting an twist to the soap box that I now peddle my ideas from.
Watch – Blade Runner Korean Style
