When Mark Zuckerberg launched video calling within Facebook a couple weeks ago (which Isn’t all that exciting on its own), he did make a couple of points that resonated with me. He said that the last 5 years have been about connecting people online, and the next 5 years are going to be about building apps that use those connections. And thats where I think things get interesting.

When you start to consider connected utility, and group dynamics… Facebook, Twitter and Google+ just become a backbone for other more meaningful applications. In essence, they are going to be like the phone company or ISP that allows for experiences to happen on top of their shell.

We’re already seeing it with Facebook Connect, or signing in with Twitter, or The Klout + Spotify launch (as means of connecting services by utilizing existing relationships)... But the thing that has me really thinking in a new way are the services like Google Hangout and Turntable.FM. These are the first applications (outside of gaming) that have really taken advantage of a shared experience in a digital space.

Google+ Hangouts seem the most interesting, because it feels the most open. So far, I’ve had casual conversations, team meetings, watched a prototype streaming web show, watched videos, and planned a group fantasy football draft with Google+. Once you change the dynamic of how people interact, you change the possibilities for what can happen.

Turntable.FM is another service that brings groups together in new / awesome ways. For the past few days we’ve had theme radio rooms. Jock Jams on Tuesday and Makeout Music for Wednesday (HUMP DAY), and drinking tunes for Thirsty Thursday. It gives people a way to join in, or a fun way to have background music during the day…

The great thing about both of these services is that they can be passive. Hanging out means that someone can just drop in and say hello. Turntable is a way to discover new music, and hangout with friends… but doesn’t require constant interaction or interruption.

I see this as a fairly dramatic change in how social can work… and most of this has only gained traction in the past couple of weeks. It should be fun to figure out what else we can create in the next five years.