Yahoo backs Google project
2008-03-26 09:38
San Francisco - Yahoo Inc said
it supports a program by archrival Google Inc to develop
applications for social networks and will help create a joint
foundation to keep it alive.
Google launched its OpenSocial network in November to lure
developers already creating popular web applications on social
networks like Facebook.
Many social networks, including MySpace, Friendster and
hi5, support OpenSocial, a set of technological specifications
that lets software developers build applications such as games
and photo shows that can run on any social network.
The scope of OpenSocial is increasing and OpenSocial
applications reach more than 200 million users, Joe Kraus,
Google's director of product management, said during a
conference call.
"If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far,
go together," Kraust said of the OpenSocial effort.
Yahoo, Google and MySpace also said on Tuesday they will
create the OpenSocial Foundation to maintain a neutral,
community-governed forum for developing applications. It will
be set up as a non-profit entity, with assets to be assigned to
the new organisation by July 1.
"Common specifications are beneficial to the developer
community at large and encourage innovation" and eventually
enrich the web experience for people, Wade Chambers, Yahoo's
vice president of Platforms, said on the call.
He declined to provide specific examples of how Yahoo plans
to use OpenSocial applications.
Facebook has not yet endorsed OpenSocial. It offers its own
specifications for application developers.
Yahoo is also the subject of a $42bn hostile offer
from Microsoft, which has not signed on to OpenSocial either.
But Yahoo's Chambers said they would welcome Microsoft or any
other company that wants to sign on.
"Any large player should be open to participate," he said.