Ning, the social network platform that lets users build their own social networks, has launched its application platform Ning Apps to the public. The platform allows Network Creators to customize the features on their networks by adding apps that have been created by third party developers, which include the likes of Ticketmaster, WordPress, Hulu and plenty more. The platform made its debut back in May, but has remained in Beta since then. Today it will be available for all network creators to use. You can browse the list of available apps here.
At launch Ning Apps has around 90 applications, which add features like video chat, collaborative workspaces, video streaming, and marketplaces to sell goods. The platform is based on OpenSocial, but unlike the applications you’ll find on most other social networks, Ning Apps allow Network Creators to deploy their apps to all of their users at once, though users can choose to hide an app after it has been deployed on a social network. Obviously this is a big opportunity for the apps on the platform — if a major network were to install one of them, they could instantly gain hundreds of thousands of users.
The launch has been a long time coming. We hear from a third party developer on the platform that Ning was targeting a June launch, but pushed the launch to mid-August (and again til now) due to speed issues and frequent requests that Ning tweak the placement of these applications. Ning initially planned to feature the apps on a social network’s homepage — now they’ll be appearing in dedicated tabs within the Ning network.
Earlier this summer Ning raised another $15 million at a whopping $750 million valuation that raised more than a few eyebrows, though that may have been an interesting bit of VC marketing strategy. To date Ning has raised nearly $120 million.
Hahah nice, I always knew a porn app would be a good idea
Finally Ning makes a move! Lets see how it is received by the app developers.
Great to see more competition to Facebook!
They have ended their dispute and came to a conclusion that Both companies will be withdrawing their respective claims both in the United States and Germany and they have continued to operate their business as before.This is the important turn in this long problem.
Anyway being a no 1social network in the globe,Facebook won and the German company is paying an undisclosed sum for the deal.
It’s kind of late to the party, but great to see more competition to Facebook!
Very niiiieiice… (Borat voice)
As a Ning Network Creator I am about to dig through the Apps to see what I can use.
Eventbee launched Event Register App today on Ning, it’s great to work with them, already got launch customers to use our ticketing app, and amazing to see so many vibrant social networks in Ning
We did our own PR today, check our site/blog
We are a Ning-based network and Ning Apps is great! Very nice work Ning!
amiando is happy to be part of this great launch!
Ning network creators can find the amiandoTICKETS app in the Staff Picks section of Ning Apps. amiando (htp://www.amiando.com) is a leading tool for online event registration and ticketing.
amiandoTICKETS is completely free to use for all free events of your Ning network.
http://blog.ami...assions-online/
Ning who? Oh yeah that porn site that tried to go legit by dumping all of its users. Too little too late guys. Wonder when their VC’s will realize they are dumping their money into a hole?
Actually some Ning apps are quite good. tokbox gives you instant no plug-in, no sign-up video chat right out of a specific ning site. With audio, several participants, chat window below, flash based. Can you do this on facebook?
Other question. Could not video chat (seamless so that you can do it on your mobile device) be the killer app for social networks? After all – how much more social can you become face to face? Video chat – live stream – communication in general. So to speak: Telephone 2.0. This will all be one. First landline, then mobile, then internet (video) chat, then…
Example: You sit on your desk at home and do Facebook or another social network. You start a video chat with a friend. It’s more a call – video is not so important right now. You get a call on your mobile and have to go immediately. You tell your friend: “I’ll take you with me – just hold on.” You talk with him/hir while you dress. You put your bluetooth earplug in and talk with him – put the mobile device in your pocket. Video chat mode turns into a phone call. Then while in the car you put the device in the tomtom/navigon cradle. Now you share the driving view with your friend while still talking. You can entertain him better – make yourself sticky to him when you offer more than a bad mobile phone connection. Or you friend says: “Forget the navigation – you will never find it. I will guide you.” You can take snapshots and (status) message them to all your social networks from your car.
So you don’t say: “I hang up.” You’re always on. Not only on the internet – sometimes you want to stay connected with special people. The connection will adapt from talking, video chatting, photo and (live) video sharing, info sharing, tips – but it can be always on. It can make you feel very close to somebody. It’s already working like this from desk/screen to desk. Imagine having something in your pocket that sends you tactile codes and that you can multitouch.
So ultimately I think facebook will invest in Ning. Are groups, pages, forums on facebook really that good? In a way – a Ning site could be forseen as a group within Facebook. Facebook light on one direction – Facebook individual on the other.
And then there is the danger that Facebook could become the new AOL. A walled garden where many live their social life in – but people want to leave. Why do you think Marc A. ventured in Skype? I think that Ning VCs spent their money wisely. fosat
When will TC EVER cover the hundreds of complaints against Ning?
Google “Ning Scam” or “Ning Ripoff Report” or just go to the companys own page on Getsatisfaction. Look at all the members who want to sue Ning!
Cmon TC