OpenSocial, Google’s open challenge to Facebook will launch this Thursday. OpenSocial is a set of three common APIs, that will allow access to user data, graph for friends information, and Feeds to learn the latest activities. XING, Friendster, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Newsgator, hi5 and Ning would be be joining Google and Orkut. Developers from some key Facebook Companies such as Flikster, Rock You, Slide, and iLike to work would be behind the making of this new social/business networking site.

There is wide speculation that Google could win it’s way through this in a breeze, given that good partners are siding with Google and Google has both the resources and the experience to successfully streamline the network on all social networks from one control-center.

What this means for Google and users?

More power. If Google ends up becoming the leading networking site, it might become a one-stop platform for  users to associate with their online identity. More applications would increase searches and Google might also add ads to add to user interest, increasing ad searches as well.

Developers would jump to make one new site a day, but irrespective of whether this is a hype or not, increasing networking sites can take away a lot of time away from the average user, from adding a profile to actively networking… it’s a huge effort, only makes it worse when you have to redo the whole thing again and again. Tired of even thinking of yet another sign-up. Are you? After all the publicity, OpenSocial better be worth the noise!!