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The popular networking site aimed at tech-savvy business professionals has released a number of less formal third-party applications to try and encourage its users to make the website part of it's users daily online regimen.
LinkedIn's Intelligent Applications platform is built on the OpenSocial APIs pioneered by Google and includes: Amazon, Google, SixApart, WordPress and smaller startups Box.net, Huddle, SlideShare and travel site TripIt.
The services will users now have access to a total of eight new applications to lure its "connections" to stick around to share files, PowerPoint presentations and information. The collaborative interactive apps will enable vetted fellow users to more effectively utilize its users network, tracking meetings, travel, blogs and even Twitter threads through it's own application Customer Buzz.
The open-source Apps, such as HuddleWorkspaces will help create an infrastructure for business communities to work together in private 'invitation' only rooms enabling users to work in a secure online environment.
Obviously most apps are on the serious business side in keeping with the typical LinkedIn user, but the overall intent is also to make the networking experience more fun and liven things up a little. Still I don't expect to see vacation pictures and iTunes playlists.
While smaller businesses and entrepreneurs might revel in the myriad of collaborative possibilities, I'm sure that there are few of the larger corporations out there that are more than a little concerned with the apparent ease of access to delicate and proprietary company information.