There's a whole lot of discussion going on on whether Facebook is about to open up to widgets, or whether they have a great API that will allow the integration of third party applications. Or maybe both? My view is it doesn't really matter whether it's widgets or an API, and it doesn't really make a difference. Most of it is language. The users will decide whether what arrives as an option is useful to them, and they will then vote with their feet. I've always thought Facebook is deadly dull and could do with some widget action - but then I would say that, wouldn't I?
Josh Catone hits the nail on the head at Read/Write Web
And there's no doubt how successful widgets have been in helping to push MySpace to the top. At the end of last year, Newsweek even declared 2007 to be the "Year of the Widget." Facebook is in a precarious position with their core users, who are very set and their ways and resistant toward change that would bring Facebook closer to the look and feel of other social networks. At the same time, they may want a piece of the action. Of course, this could just be a more expanded API. And in fact, that seems more likely.
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