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Yahoo! Expands Open Web Platform Plans
Ian Lamont writes "Yahoo has announced it is further opening its Web platform to developers and moving closer to a Facebook-style social networking concept. Yahoo CTO Ari Balogh made the announcement at the Web 2.0 Expo, and said that while Yahoo already has open APIs for some services, it will expand the open API concept to other areas and make it more consistent for developers, while boosting the 'social' aspect of its services for its members. Analysts don't expect this to increase Microsoft's interest in Yahoo!. In fact, recent comments from Steve Ballmer suggest that Microsoft will give up entirely."
Correct. This smacks of being an entirely reactive maneuver to counter Google's new App Engine feature.
Not to say that Yahoo! doesn't have a real platform to offer. They've been working hard to keep up with Google, and even manage to surpass them in some areas. (Though sadly, we're primarily talking about areas that Google doesn't compete.) It would be an interesting task to do a side-by-side comparison of the two platforms. Sadly, I don't think anyone will take Yahoo! seriously even if it is superior, just because they seem to be chasing Google's tail. Until they start making the big announcements before Google, they're going to always be in second place.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
What I find more interesting than the "main story" is the article at the last link in the summary. Maybe some of this is out of context, but Ballmer just amazes me with the things he gets away with saying while still keeping his job.
Yet just the paragraph before that, the article states:
Ummm... Yeah... That's good for your stockholders (which incidentally through a gift I happen to be one of). I realize this is preparation in case they don't get Yahoo and of course they would move on without them. However, is it really smart to keep clamoring on about how essential they are for you to be competitive yet at the same time making it clear that you now have doubts if you can even do it?
Maybe I'm just being too hard on him or reading too much into it, but I did just finish rewatching "Pirates of Silicon Valley" last weekend and, well, it's just good fun. ;)
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a yo-yo.-Enoch Root
So basically, this is yet another grasping at straws attempt to hold of the wolf at the door, by copying someone else's idea and further diluting their portfolio, and diversifying away from their core business.
When was the last time Yahoo innovated? In fact, have they ever?
And there folks is the reason why Yahoo is not long for this World. They've been very lucky to have lasted this long, they really should have gone under with the dotcom bubble.
Borrowed. Time.
statement of intent
yahoo joins open social
yahoo joins open social
This whole "open initiative" business shouldn't be news to anyone with any clue as to what's going on.
Granted, I've got a bit more clue to what's going on with this, since I'm a tech lead on this project at Yahoo. That intent agreement isn't just corporate BS. We (that is, actual programmers, not just CxO's) are talking with them on a regular basis. This is very much a cooperative initiative.
"Open" isn't just a new buzzword. Yeah, they've got their stuff and we've got ours, and we compete fiercely in a few areas. But they're both big companies, and it's a big internet, and there's a lot that Y! and Google can do together that benefits both parties.
People just like soap operas, and when there isn't a real soap opera, they manufacture one.
Full disclosure: in case you missed it above, I work at Yahoo, on our open social project, which is a big part of what this announcement was about.
Isaac Z. Schlueter
http://foohack.com