title: WCF Data Services (OData) Vs ASP.NET Web API
body: <p>I am designing a distributed application that will consist of RESTful services and a variety of clients (Silverlight, iOS, Windows Phone 7, etc).  Right now I'm determining which technology I should use to implement my services, WCF Data Services (OData) or the new ASP.NET Web API that's coming out with ASP.NET MVC 4.</p>
  
  <p>I've watched a few presentations online about each and right now I'm leaning towards WCF Data Services primarily because of the filtering mechanisms built into the URI and native hypermedia capability.  The only downside I can see is the verbosity of the Atom Pub specification as opposed to POX.</p>
  
  <p>Is there anything I should know about these two technologies before making a decision?  Why would someone choose ASP.NET Web API over WCF Data Services?</p>