MySpace may soon release a Facebook-style API to allow developers the ability create applications which integrate into the popular social network site. Facebook's much hailed [developer platform][4] has apparently convince MySpace of the need to do the same.

Chris DeWolfe, one of MySpace's founders, [tells the Financial Times][2] that the Facebook platform is "interesting," but also touts MySpace's current approach. 

He goes on to argue MySpace's current technology gives its users many of the same benefits as the Facebook F8 platform, but concedes "we'll probably offer users the choice of both."

As it stands, many developers are hesitant to build on the MySpace network because the site [frequently blocks services][3] without warning (or rhyme or reason for that matter). An open platform like Facebook's could renew developer faith in MySpace.

At the same time, as Jason Kottke recently pointed out, there are some close similarities [between the Facebook platform and AOL's "rainman" platform][1], and we all know how well that one did.

The crux of the problem, according the Kottke and others, is that all social networks use what amounts to a proprietary API and even if the API remains stable, developers must content with the differences between platforms -- making it difficult and expensive to develop apps that work across popular social networks.

[1]: http://www.kottke.org/07/06/facebook-is-the-new-aol "Facebook is the new AOL"
[2]: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f8b11252-25a7-11dc-b338-000b5df10621.html "MySpace to follow rival’s lead"
[3]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/04/myspace_is_bloc.html "MySpace Is Blocking Photobucket Videos"
[4]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/05/facebook_to_mov.html "Facebook To Move Beyond Social Networking"