The search engine king Google has announced a new sandbox environment for its iGoogle, the successor of Google Personalized Homepage. The revamping makes iGoogle capable of being configured much like a social network homepage. The new iGoogle makes use of the Google-backed OpenSocial, the API (application programming interface) designed to let developers build social applications that are compatible with an array of web pages that support it.

"iGoogle's new features will include left navigation, a maximized or 'canvas view' option for gadgets, and social features for gadgets using the OpenSocial APIs. These social features for gadgets will include a friends list and activities displayed through a special updates gadget," Google said.

Late last month, Yahoo joined rivals Google and MySpace to work on the OpenSocial platform, a common set of standards which will enable interoperability. Several business newspapers allege that Yahoo was pondering the move for months but was concerned about Google's influence over the OpenSocial alliance.

Yahoo decided in favor of joining the open platform after Google made assurances that it will give up its tight grip on the technology. Instead, control was yielded to the OpenSocial Foundation, a non-profit group whose founding members will include Google, Yahoo and MySpace. The new organization will be created within the next three months.

"By building more powerful and interactive gadgets for iGoogle, developers will have an opportunity to share their gadgets with the tens of millions of iGoogle users," Google said.