MySpace is to change

January 31st, 2008 Posted in News

The social networking website MySpace is to change the way it operates by letting external software developers create media sharing applications and games for users. This is seen as a direct competitive measure to combat the threat of Facebook which already allows external software developers access to the site.

The platform will be launched next week but many are already signing up for the service. Google have assisted in creating the tools that will allow programmers to develop applications like the thousands already in existence on the Facebook website.

Facebook carried out the same process last year and since has gained 15,000 different applications with high levels of success. Applications already on the site include photo-sharing and music recommendation software as well as games such as Pac-Man.

Despite these improvements however Facebook still lies in second behind rival MySpace. In numerical terms Facebook has 63 million members in comparison to an impressive 200 million that use the MySpace network.

Software developers will have further enticement to add to the site as the chance to make money from applications will be apparent. This will surely lead to a large influx of software from entrepreneurial developers who will focus on promoting their software in the pursuit of earnings.

The MySpace site in 2005 was bought out by Rupert Murdoch for 580 million dollars and this step is clearly part of Murdoch’s aggressive business style. By utilising software tools that exist on other networking sites it is hoped that MySpace’s domination of the social networking market can be further enhanced.