One of MySpace's greatest innovations was something ridiculously simple... the "wall": the messaging area of a user's profile page, where any "friend" of the user can post comments. It is the wall that keeps members coming back over and over again, often several times a day (to check for new messages). It's the most extensible component of MySpace. When dealing with an online community, that one lasting activity is almost always communications. But it is equally important to realize that communications in and of itself does not necessarily act as the primary draw for new users. MySpace should offer its members the ability to communicate on the wall via video. FULL ARTICLE @ GIGA OM BLOG



Mark Brooks: Hardware will converge into single mobile palmtop, iPod, GPS, cell phone devices. Social networks need to converge with email, videomail, plaxo and PIM's. I've not seen a single social network elude to this convergence as yet, but I'm convinced it's the future. LinkedIn is probably the best aligned at this stage, functionally. Plaxo would be an important component. Gmail would make the perfect email partner. I doubt these companies will actually align, but you get my drift. A new company will emerge that will bring the pieces of the puzzle together. Over the next five years we'll see a convergence of devices and communications services that will completely change the way we communicate and stay in contact with each other. Online personals services will be core to the paradigm shift. The market for internet dating services (introductions) will grow as a consequence.