MySpace follows in Facebook's footsteps

 

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Posted on 5 Feb 2008 at 08:13

MySpace today opened the MySpace Developer Platform to third party programmers, allowing them to write applications that add new features to the site.

The tool is currently in a 'sandbox' phase, designed to allow testing but not a full release to the public.

Programmers have one month to trial applications on the site, but each one will only be allowed on three user profiles at any one time. Applications will also not be able to trigger activities updates or communicate with MySpace users.

Once the testing period is over, applications will be released to the public via a feature called the Application Gallery, which will let users browse available widgets.

"Once the Developer Platform is ready for prime time, you will be able to release your application to the MySpace community, and showcase it in the Application Gallery," explains the Developer Platform website.

"We cannot give an exact release date, as the release of this platform depends largely on the results of this initial beta test."

Developers can use the Developer Platform to create widgets using Action Script, REST or Google's OpenSocial platform, which allows code to run seamlessly on a variety of platforms.

MySpace announced that it would be opening its site up to developers in October last year, explaining that it would be exploring profit-sharing schemes with application owners.

"The idea will be to allow outside developers to tightly integrate their applications into MySpace," explained Chris DeWolfe, MySpace chief executive. "There is going to be paid revenue opportunities for all the developers."

Author: Matthew Sparkes