MySpace Developer Platform Launches

MySpace will be launching their new developer platform on Tuesday morning. Intially the developer site will include sample code, forums, guidebooks along with a developer blog will be available.

There are three APIs available immediately: OpenSocial with MySpace Extensions, REST API and a variety of Action Scripts. The idea with the action scripts is simple - they are premade functions that you can tie into widgets within MySpace. Unlike the Facebook platform, the MySpace Platform won't launch with any premium partners; instead everyone gets a fair shot at success (or as fair as possible).

Adam Ostrow from Mashable has additional details regarding the launch and the privacy options and revenue model that MySpace will utilize. He notes regarding the revenue model, "In terms of monetization, the revenue share hinted at last week won't be available initially. Instead, developers will be able to control 100% of ads on their "canvas page," where most of the main functions of applications will live. In the future, developers will be able to utilize the same tools currently being beta tested by MySpace, which allow advertisers to place "hyper targeted ads" based on user's profile characteristics."

On the privacy side, Ostrow notes, "On the privacy side, we now know that MySpace will be applying the same privacy controls users currently have for their profiles to applications, meaning that apps will have access only to data that user's have already made available." There will also be a sanitization process to verify that no hanky panky will take place regarding the JavaScript code inside the apps.

Since the MySpace Platform is built on OpenSocial, applications will be able to be magically transferred over to other OpenSocial partners including Bebo, hi5, and LinkedIn. This could make the MySpace Platform very attractive to developers. NY-based KickApps also supports OpenSocial. If I see one poke application on Tuesday, all bets are off.