Social networking website MySpace has announced the launch of its new developer platform.The MySpace Developer Platform, set to go live to website users in early March, will result in the creation of applications that are compatible with Google's OpenSocial standard and follows the successful launch of Facebook's own platform last year.
Users of the MySpace website will be able to add email services, games and other widgets to their profiles without using external websites as a result of the platform's launch.
Developers will be able to test their applications on a maximum of five MySpace users a month before rolling them out for a full launch.
They will have access to all data that is publicly available on registered profiles, with users able to limit visibility by changing their account settings so that only their friends can see their profile.
Another security feature will use a technology called Kaja, which has been developed by Google, Kyle Brinkman of MySpace told CNET News.com. This will help to eliminate code vulnerabilities, he said.
Google announced the launch of OpenSocial in November last year. The standard comprises a set of common application programming interfaces that allow developers to build applications for deployment across multiple websites.
Sites that have signed up to make use of the standard include Bebo, Engage.com, orkut, Plaxo, Friendster, hi5, imeem, LinkedIn, mixi, Ning, Oracle, Six Apart, Viadeo and XING, among others.
