October 31, 2007 3:58 PM PDT
CNET News.com feature: OpenSocial opens new can of worms
When Google announced that its new social-networking initiative would extend to any site that wanted to participate, the land grab for the social Web's attention just got a whole lot more intense.
In a move that was anticipated for weeks, Google has unveiled a set of application program interfaces (APIs) that allow third-party programmers to build widgets that take advantage of personal data and profile connections on a social-networking site. But instead of limiting the project to its own social-networking property, Orkut, Google has invited other sites along for the ride--including LinkedIn, Hi5, Plaxo, Ning, and Friendster.
Read the rest of the CNET News.com story here.
Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline. 
There have been initiatives to that effect. This is one step closer. I commend google, and ask that myspace and facebook be added to the group. Now is not the time to be picky. Now is the time for google to revolutionize another new use of tech.