What people don’t realize is:

In a move that was anticipated for weeks, Google has unveiled a set of application program interfaces (APIs) that allow third-party programmers to build widgets that take advantage of personal data and profile connections on a social-networking site. But instead of limiting the project to its own social-networking property, Orkut, Google has invited other sites along for the ride–including LinkedIn, Hi5, Plaxo, Ning, and Friendster.

Google does this all the time! They make a big “show” of *giving away for free* PROPRIETARY ACCESS to their technology. In other words, what they are saying is: “You’re worthy of being our customers: here is our business and now we own you as a result.”

Look how pitched this shit is once you can see that undercurrent:

Creators of third-party applications are understandably optimistic. “In a lot of ways this is the greatest thing that could’ve happened to us,” said Ali Partovi, CEO of social music site iLike.

Guess what: a standard isn’t really actually “Open” if one big ass company owns it… um, that AND EVERY GODDAMNED THING ELSE.