Last weeks AOL acquisition of Bebo for $850m has triggered a numbered of conversations about next generation platforms. As with Rupert Murdoch’s acquisition of MySpace for $580m back in July 2005 and Microsoft’s $240m investment in Facebook implying a post valuation of $15bn much of the initial media focus has been on the purchase price.

Debra Aho Williamson shared Comscore KPI data for each of above looking at unique visitors worldwide, US social network advertising spend and time spent on site. The growth and importance of social network platforms continues apace. With proof-of-concepts now firmly in place all eyes are on next generation platforms soon to come to market.

Some of the hybrids we are tracking from the social network and virtual worlds space show promising early signs. As development continues apace within this space each of these next generation platforms will take digital identity and attention streams to a whole new level. All of which will provide the foundations necessary for the Meta Age to become a reality.