hi5 has officially announced the launch of their Developer Platform which will allow developers to build and deploy their applications on hi5.

Like most of other developer platforms, hi5’s developer platform provides a REST API along with the OpenSocial API (Application Programming Interface) which will facilitate rapid development and deployment of applications.  With the API, the application can access user data like friends, photos, activity, albums , music etc.  For details, check out the hi5 REST API.

The applications on hi5 are deployed through Applications module on the user’s profile page and a dedicated Canvas page for application, much like facebook.  The application can have in-built viral attributes through usage Friend Updates, notifications, messages, and invites by the friends.  The applications need to go through a review and approval mechanism before getting deployed.  Follow the links to read the anatomy of hi5 application or access the hi5 sandbox.

I think the key benefit for hi5 here is the support for OpenSocial APIs which reduces developers effort in building different applications for different social networks.  The other benefit that developers will enjoy is the hi5’s unique active user base which does not overlap with other social networks providing them an overall bigger audience.

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