2008 is supposed to be the year that Google takes on Facebook; there is the hidden assumption behind this statement that it’s not taking on Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and the whole mobile phone industry.
First, Open Social tries to move widgets and social network applications out from the individual network and onto the web.
Then the crystal ball watchers see that Gmail may offer Friend Updates. Gmail To Offer Friend Updates?
That’s a good start they’d then have a way of publishing status and a way of moving applications out of the silos, however the third leg of the stool is getting the information out of the various silos. And then Spokeo comes along…