So Google has got pretty much everyone, bar Apple, to sign up to its OpenSocial platform, which means developers will be able to produce all those clever widgets across multiple websites including MySpace, Bebo, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Ning, Friendster and Orkut.
MySpace gets a much needed boost to development, and goes from chucking widgets off the site to opening up its code to everyone, although no doubt with some strict T&Cs. Bebo already has a few applications built to order with the likes of Widgetbox, but could potentially expand its user base through the deal. And Google gets kudos, making sure it appears to trump the 'Microsoft buys Facebook stake' headlines of last week.
Next up - will Facebook join? They say they haven't been briefed, according to TechCrunch, although Google let slip that they had offered. Whatever, it's still only the very loosest of collaboration, after all.
Dave Winer is sceptical about OpenSocial, saying "standards devised by one tech company whose main purpose is to undermine another tech company usually don't work". I don't think Google's sole strategy is to derail Facebook with this, and if you believe MySpace they have been working with Google for a year on these standards.
Winer thinks we should all stop thinking about the rivalries and worry about how much of our data Google has under control, which is a fair point.
Technorati Tags: Bebo, Facebook, Google, MySpace, DaveWiner
