Google could be taking over the interwebs… again.
In the past, Google has introduced applications such as Google Voice, Google Buzz, Google Wave, Google maps, Google Earth and this little thing called Google Mail.
Now, Google is looking to bring another application to the table, Google Me.
What is Google Me? Google Me is the next Facebook of the Google applications. Okay okay I get it, Google Me is just a rumor that Kevin Rose just so happened to tweet about.
But SFWeekly guesses that Google Me could be an expansion of Google Profiles. A Google profile is simply how you present yourself on the web to other Google users.
If this rumor is true, this could potentially cut into the millions and millions of users on Facebook and give Google lovers just another thing to “buzz” or “wave” about.
Some of Google’s applications have struck out, others have served their purpose, but Google is constantly striving to introduce great products and create applications for users that will assist them in communication and understanding.
Ben says
Honestly, tried Google Buzz for a week and turned it off. Google Me would be seen as too cliche and not cutting edge. I also think that people are starting to crawl back into microcommunities and not expanding their world like they were the past couple of years. Google would do best in competing with Microsoft and their products and making a stronger office functionality.
I thought Google Wave would have been great but then the amount of time it took to open it up to the public instead of simply integrating it into Google Mail was a huge mistake.
The more I read “The Facebook Effect” the more I realize that Facebook is going to stay strong as long as they hold to their standard. The reason Myspace has pretty much puttered out of existence is because they compromised their vision and people didn’t like that.
Anyway, good thoughts Mr. Reed.
Graham Brenna says
I would agree with you that society seems to be crawling back into microcommunities lately… good thoughts!
Kyle Reed says
I think myspace also disappeared because something better came along (facebook)
Yes they did compromise their standards and what they did, but I think something bigger and better came along. I would say the same should and might happen with facebook. Something bigger and better (twitter) could take over….at least I hope.
Michael says
If it is anything like google buzz… we have nothing to worry about.
Danny Bixby says
I remember Gwave, that sure was something…
Kyle Reed says
haha, well Chris Brogan sure loves it
Bill says
A parallel (and a prediction):
Google Me, Wave, Buzz, etc. = The Mac of social media
Facebook = the PC of social media
Graham Brenna says
Oh Snap! Didn’t know this was going to become a Mac vs. PC thing! One could argue that Coke is the Mac to Pepsi’s PC (ps… I’m a coke fan)
😉
Kyle Reed says
I guess I could see that. The only problem with the argument is that apple and google do not get along.
BenJPickett says
I think Google’s mistake with this, if true, is that they have already opened a few social media platforms (orkut, wave, buzz) and they all seem to have failed on what is being expected of them because of the extent of capabilities that myspace and facebook have put into the foundations of social networking and media. Google’s most successful social platform is Youtube, and they bought that. While they have taken everything to a social degree in the past several years (groups, mail, docs, sites, picasa, etc) all of their apps are individual platforms. The extent of the noticeable integration to the average user is that you have access to all of it just by setting up a gmail account. There is very limited integration between the platforms.
Google would better serve their social networking platform desires by working on integrating and tying what they already have together for fluid, seamless interaction than to keep developing more apps that just won’t do it all. On top of that, some of their platforms could use some cleaning up, they are neat and easy to use but they just aren’t eye catching and attractive. I would much rather share my facebook albums than picasa albums just because facebook is more visually appealing.
Google is easy and fast. Facebook is almost as easy, just as fast and is also good looking. What would you rather have?
Andy says
I have a hard time seeing the masses switching from Facebook to Google Me. Based off the flops of Google Buzz & Wave, I am already skeptical of how innovative Google Me will be.
Graham Brenna says
Does that mean that I’m going to have to break up with my “Face” in order to find “Me”?
Kyle Reed says
I hope not, but you will probably have to sell some of your soul
Dano Hart says
I absolutely love google buzz. When facebook bought friendfeed.com the community left knowing that the company wasn’t going to advance….Google buzz has all the features of friendfeed and then some.
I find it rather interesting that avid twitter users say they don’t like buzz, and I see them as very very similar models, and I wish people would use buzz more.
Kenny Jahng of Godvertiser.com says
Perhaps off topic, but this post really pointed out the need for education on reputation management online when people “Google me” or you…
John Saddington says
seriously.