Comments on: Yahoo warming up to OpenSocial; Facebook staying cool

Google's OpenSocial APIs may be gaining a major new adherent this week. According to the NYT, Yahoo is expected to join the group that includes MySpace, Plaxo, Bebo, Hi5, Six Apart, LinkedIn and Ning. In fact, Facebook is the only major social networking

[Broward Horne]

I predicted in Oct, 2007 that Facebook's tactical advantage of rapid growth would reach an inflection before Summer, 2008. In reality, Facebook hit an inflection point less than two months after my prediction. Based on Facebook's lack of strategic direction and peak in growth rate, I expect Google to make decisive moves to further the OpenSocial agenda.

http://www.realmeme.com/roller/page/realmeme?entry=prediction_opensocial_api_beats_facebook

I predict that Facebook loses the battle against OpenSocial.

[billburke3]

There's no doubt Facebook will join OpenSocial. What choice will they have when OpenSocial replaces them in the same space ;-) ??

The Team
http://iserviceshop.blogspot.com

[samkass]

The choice they have is probably to remain strong enough that they can merge their API and OpenSocial into an "OpenSocial II" that will make it easier for them to transition. As the entrenched leader, it would benefit both sides-- OpenSocial II would become the universal standard and Facebook would have an easier time moving their developer base to it.

Then, of course, if they take a hint from Microsoft's playbook they'll immediately introduce additional incompatible APIs that lock developers in again.