Access MySpace, Facebook On Orkut?

With the social network wars heating up (especially between Google and Facebook), two new Orkut Apps have appeared on the scene allowing users to access both MySpace and Facebook.

Before one goes and rejoices how "Social Stream" is becoming a reality, these apps seem to allow users to only login through the iPhone interface of Facebook and the mobile interface of MySpace (so these are not the full blown versions).

Here is a screen shot of the MySpace Orkut App (which can be installed over here):



And here is a screen shot of the Facebook Orkut App (which can be installed over here):



Either way, these apps should make it easier to access friends who may not be as active on Orkut, without consuming too much bandwidth.

Note: As far as Facebook goes, this is the second time someone has submitted an app on Orkut (as it was previously working before mysteriously disappearing "over night" last year).

Google seems to be approving even more Apps on Orkut, although most users will not be able to see them unless they live in India, Estonia or have access to the Orkut Sandbox (note: sigh, no love for Brazil).

Google Rolling Out Adsense Upon Orkut Forums Again?

(Hat Tip: Kaushik from Ortuk)

It looks like after testing Ads on Orkut profiles, Google is slowly experimenting with AdSense within a few Orkut communities.

Here are several screen shots from the APPLE : iPhone now with 3G :) forum...



...the India Pakistan Friendship Club forum...



...the United Nations forum...



...and a personal favorite of mine the Brain Teasers forum.



I came across numerous other forums with Google Adsense being proudly displayed, although a high number of them seemed "broken" which may be more on my end since I am using the latest beta of Firefox 3 (which has yet to support GreaseMonkey and Google Gears).

Google previously included Adsense within Orkut, before mysteriously removing them (which may have been due towards users blocking them with GreaseMonkey hacks).

Although there is no word on whether or not Google will share Adsense revenue with forum owners, they have allowed users creating Orkut Apps to display adds alongside their application pages.

Hopefully Google considers sticking with the ads (or even sharing revenue with users), as they could help not only reduce the cost of running Orkut, but help pay for new features for the site as well.

Sweet! Insert YouTube Directly Into Orkut Video Favorites

It looks like Google has introduced a feature on YouTube that allows users to directly insert their favorite videos from YouTube directly into the Orkut favorite video list.

(Official Orkut Blog) Have you ever been watching a funny video on YouTube and decided halfway through that you must share it with your orkut friends? Previously, you had to go to your orkut "favorite videos" page and copy-and-paste the video URL to post these clips. Now you can share videos on orkut directly from YouTube! Click on the orkut logo under the video you are watching on YouTube, and you'll be taken directly to your "favorite videos" page on orkut. The URL of the video you're watching will already be loaded, so all you need to do is hit "add video" to post. Now that it's easier than ever, go ahead and share videos with your friends on orkut.

In order to access this feature, users have to simply log into YouTube (and Google account, if they are not already connected) and click on the share button.



Next, locate the Orkut icon and click on it.



A new pop up window should appear showing your Favorite Video List page with the YouTube url already filled in.



Last but not least, simply hit the "add video" button and your video should be imported within your Orkut video favorite list.

Note: Here is a video that I have just added to my Orkut favorites list, which may be familiar to those of you who saw Steve Job's WWDC conference.





This feature is definitely a time saver (at least for me) and Orkut users will probably love this feature since half our planet is on YouTube anyways.

My only request for the Google team would be to figure out a way to insert all of our YouTube favorites within Orkut in a single click, as some users may dozens (if not hundreds) of videos listed as their favorites within their profiles.

Orkut Forums (Recommended By Google)

(Hat Tip: Ortuk)

As if Orkut was not distracting enough for everyone, it looks as if Google has released a new feature that will suggest forums for users to join (which seems based upon the communities that you and your friends have already signed up for).



Orkut will display up to three recommended forums for users, and if one desires to see more they can click the "view all" link or simply visit orkut.com/Communities.aspx?tab=5 to view the entire list.

If the communities recommended to you are not relevant, boring, lewd or down right irritating, users can simply ignore future suggestions from that forum...



...as well as find out why Google recommended the forum to you in the first place (by clicking on the "Why was I recommended this?" link.



Users can also turn off this feature (if they want to preserve "screen real estate"), although most users may find it to be quite useful in discovering new communities.

Note: I wonder when Google is going to do something similar with friends, as well as Orkut Apps?

Google Taking A Bite Out Of Orkut Forum Spam

In the never ending war against Orkut spam (which seems to be increasing lately, at least in my Orkut inbox) Google has unveiled a new tool for community owners to help keep their forums clean and on topic.

Basically this feature allows forum owners to restrict access to communities based upon email (like @gmail.com, @yahoo.com or @ilovemyjob.com).



(Image Credit: Gaurav of Orkut Plus)

This feature may not only reduce spam from "strange email addresses," but enable businesses, charities and schools to establish public networks that are only accessible to those with the approved email address.

For details on how to set this up, please visit Orkut Plus!

Note: I am not seeing this yet in any forums that I own, but if you are seeing it within yours, let us all know how you feel about it (or even how it can be improved) in the comment section below.