Google To Open Up Orkut With API's In November?

(Image Credit: Google)


For those of you who are into the "geek world" (or at least read TechCrunch) this is probably old news, but it seems that Google may be finally releasing API's (or Application Program Interfaces) that would allow outsiders to import and export data to and from Orkut.

(TechCrunch) The short version: Google will announce a new set of APIs on November 5 that will allow developers to leverage Google’s social graph data. They'll start with Orkut and iGoogle (Google's personalized home page), and expand from there to include Gmail, Google Talk and other Google services over time.

On November 5 we'll likely see third party iGoogle gadgets that leverage Orkut's social graph information - the most basic implementation of what Google is planning. From there we may see a lot more - such as the ability to pull Orkut data outside of Google and into third party applications via the APIs. And Google is also considering allowing third parties to join the party at the other end of the platform - meaning other social networks (think Bebo, Friendster, Twitter, Digg and thousands of others) to give access to their user data to developers through those same APIs.

Google seems to be doing this in response to Facebook, which has been growing by leaps and bounds and is currently in third place globally, behind both Orkut and MySpace.

Although the "openness" of Orkut will make many developers very happy, Google should probably focus on the little things such as:

• Adding email subscription or RSS feeds to forums (so we can keep track of our many conversations)


• Replacing Orkut email with Gmail (as it has better spam filters)


• Remove the number restriction for Orkut Albums and give users space restrictions. Perhaps even replacing it with Picasa Albums would be great.


• We love the scrapbook moderation, but restricting viewing access would be nice as well.


• Record video's from one's desktop within Orkut (and have it upload directly to Google Video or YouTube).


• Make it easier to delete a "friend" (who turned out not to be so friendly) from a friend list (a button would sure be nice).


• Last (but not least) launch an "Orkut for your domain" (similar to what Blogger offered users).

That's my list of suggestions thus far. Do you guys have any other suggestions on how Google can improve Orkut that I missed?

Did Google Increase The Album Limit On Orkut?

(Hat Tip: iWizard)

It looks as if Google has quietly increased the image limit on Orkut albums. Users can now upload a whopping 25 images to Orkut instead of 12, as this screen shot of my album shows below.



Ironically Google still lists the 12 page limit over on their help page.

Although there is no word from the official Orkut blog regarding this change, it seems as if Google is throwing users a small treat for staying on their social network.

Even though this is a welcome change, I think it would be better if Google simply removed the number restriction all together, and simply based it upon the amount of space users took up (perhaps even tying it to their "Google hard drive" service).

Note: Come on Google! You allow users to upload videos without "numerical" restrictions. Why not images as well? :-)

Google (Finally) Adds Orkut Privacy Settings To Scrapbook

(Hat Tip: MitAnshu Garg and Jerry from Orkut Plus)

Google has finally added a feature that will not only cut down on spam, but will also help some ladies out who are often harassed by losers looking for a date.

No official word from the Orkut Blog, but if you log into your home page you might see this message on your screen:



If you don't see it simply visit your privacy settings page which can be found at this link: http://www.orkut.com/PrivacySettings.aspx

Next, scroll down to the allow scraps to be written by section...



...and click on the drop down menu to select who can send you a scrap.



You have to option of opening up your scrapbook to everyone, friends of friends, or just your close friends.

After you have selected your preferences, hit the save changes button near the bottom and bask in the glory that spammers will have one less victim to harass with a useless product (not to mention girls will no longer find disgusting messages posted by desperate losers).

Note: Now the only way this could be better is if Google found a way to give everyone the ability to hide their scrapbook from strangers, sort of what Blogger has for its users, then this would be perfect.

Unrelated Note: It looks as if Google also has drastically improved the search feature on Orkut, which may put Facebook to shame. Don't you love a little competition? ;-)

New: Orkut Adds "Friend Updater," Catches Facebook Fever

(Hat Tip: MitAnshu Garg)

Google has recently added a new feature to Orkut that allows users to find out the latest updates about their friends straight from their home page.

(Official Orkut Blog) Starting today you may see a "Updates from your friends" box on the homepage where you'll get real-time updates when your friend Divya has a new address, when Priya has uploaded a new favorite YouTube video, or Amar has posted his new photos. Any changes you make will show up on your friends' homepages as well, so they can be the first to wish you best of luck at your new job, or or send you a scrap about the photo from your latest vacation.

Users can view these changes by visiting this link...

http://www.orkut.com/Notifications.aspx

...and if you receive that mysterious donut error message simply either refresh or wait 24 hours before Google updates your profile with this feature.

Here is a screen shot of what this looks like below (names removed of course):



For those of you familiar with Facebook, you will probably realize how similar this is to their site.

The only difference between the two (colors aside) is that Facebook mixes ads within its update section while Orkut seems to have removed all of its ads on its site entirely.

What would you add?: Although this feature is great, I am wondering if Google could improve upon this? One feature that I would add would be an ability to receive updates about the latest news within forums.

If anyone else has any great ideas, feel free to post them below (or if you have written about it on your blog, post a link to it below for us to check out).