This is a big one: Bebo and MySpace are both joining Google's new OpenSocial platform.
We knew Google was brewing some kind of response to "the Facebook problem", and no doubt losing out on a stake of the company to Microsoft last week bruised a little Google pride. So in a mighty, testosterone-fuelled mega launch at 7am UK time tomorrow, Google will live the OpenSocial site and confirm its partners.
So here's the thing: it's looking like Google has lined up Bebo for the UK, MySpace for the UK and Friendster for Asia. That's the social network API audience sewn up. Developers all over the world can now build widgets from the ridiculous (vampire battles and food fights) to the very functional (video players and photo galleries) that will work across all these sites with only minor tweakage.
Facebook, meanwhile requires bespoke applications. It's all alone there on Facebook island, while Google has been sneaking around picking up everyone else on the Google tanker. Still, there's always Microsoft.
The way to think of it is how news sites thought of web links five years ago; why on earth link to another site? Why let other web companies put their services on your site?
Providing code that allows developers to build applications for your site is a bit of a win win. The host sites gets to outsource the fun, sticky part of site development for free, users get lots of free tools and developers get a high profile platform to promote their plaything or their company.
Does Zuckerberg have a lump in his throat? Maybe Facebook will join up, if Google doesn't freeze them out.
MySpace would not comment on OpenSocial, yet. Bebo will announce later tonight. And more on the site tomorrow.
Technorati Tags: Bebo, Facebook, Google, myspace
