LinkedIn revamps interface, opens APIs

LinkedIn is launching a beta of its revamp user interface, adding new features and exposing APIs for integrating with other applications and services. The new home page design includes the usual network updates and modules for people and job search and answers. LinkedIn plans to add other modules in the future.

Users can customize and save searches and the new LinkedIn also includes a news feed of articles relevant to the member's company, industry, partners, and competitors (Techmeme discussion).

The InApp Developer program allows developers to create applications integrated with LinkedIn or outside of the service. Currently, LinkedIn is showing the fruits of two APIs. Using the OpenSocial APIs, LinkedIn creates a conference calendar (below) that works inside of the service, showing people in your network who are attending the same events.

BusinessWeek is the first partner up and running using LinkedIn's API for integrating data from the social network within an external site. Clicking on a company name will surface who you are linked to via LinkedIn, and the content of the page can be shared with others.

LinkedIn News shows five articles and displays them based on ranking algorithms, such as what others in a person's network are reading.

LinkedIn has close to 17 million members, growing by 1.1 million for the last two months and 189 percent year of year (October). As proof of its business bona fides, LinkedIn said that the average member age is 41, with a household income of $106,000, which is the company claims is better than the Wall Street Journal's demographics.

It's a sensible upgrade, building on LinkedIn's business focus. Over time, LinkedIn will look more like a personal professional portal than simply place to network with business associates.