Google - Friend Connect
Monday, December 22nd, 2008
Google have released a new free service called Friend Connect which allows you to embed social networking tools into existing webpages. The service includes a login feature which as well as recognising Google logins, is also OpenID compliant meaning the service can be used by non-Google account holders without having to create a new profile. Gadgets already available include a noticeboard, commonly referred to in social networking sites as a ‘wall’, and a review/rate gadget. Google are hoping the gadgets won’t stop there. Friend Connect is compatible with their OpenSocial standard so they will be looking towards the crowd to create new gadgets. The key strength of Friend Connect is that it integrates into existing webpages, so interactions happen on your website without the user having to be directed to another location.