Twitter to launch API frameworks to enable third-party access

Twitter is set to launch a new tool that will allow third parties to use its functionality and content.

The micro-blogging site plans to roll out a @Anywhere tool that will enable users to log into their Twitter accounts, as well as pull content from the site and add tweets from other sites, according to reports.

Twitter has agreed deals with Amazon, AdAge, Bing, Digg, Ebay, The New York Times, Yahoo and YouTube to use the new tool.

It will work in a similar way to Facebook Connect, although is not quite ready for launch.  Twitter announced the new tool at the South by South West festival in the US yesterday.

Twitter’s co-founder Biz Stone said: “Soon sites many of us visit every day will be able to recreate these open, engaging interactions providing a new layer of value for visitors without sending them to Twitter.com.”

The social network is also due to announce plans around its advertising model today, with suggestions of non-intrusive, relevant, hyperlocal ads that link to trending topics and third party apps.