Google Buzz
.png){kind=logo} | |
| File:Google Buzz Screenshot.png | |
| Developer(s) | |
|---|---|
| Initial release | February 9, 2010 |
| Website | buzz.google.com |
Google Buzz is a social integration and messaging tool by Google, designed to integrate into the company's web-based email program, Gmail.[1][2] Shared links and messages show up in the user's inbox.[3] Buzz focuses on integrating photos, videos, and links as part of the "conversations" aspects of Gmail like conversation threading.
Buzz allows users to choose to share publicly with the world or privately to a small group of friends each time they post.[4] Picasa, Flickr, Google Reader, YouTube, Blogger, and Twitter are currently integrated. The creation of Buzz was seen by industry analysts as an attempt by Google to compete with social networking websites like Facebook.[1] Buzz also copied several interface and interaction elements from websites like FriendFeed, such as the ability to Like someone's message.
Sergey Brin of Google said that by offering social communications, Buzz would help bridge the gap between work and leisure.[5]
Mobile versions
When the service is accessed through a mobile phone (or iPod Touch), it tags posts with the user's current location. Depending on the user's privacy settings, he or she can control the accuracy and details of what each of the other users can see — an exact location can be allowed, or it can be limited to identifying the city only. Users are only permitted to use their actual physical location derived from the device's GPS for their Buzz posts; a Buzz cannot be located from an arbitrary point set by the user (the Google Latitude service permits users to set their location anywhere).
The mobile version of Buzz integrates with Google Maps so users can see who is around them. Buzz posts made through Google Maps are public, and can be seen by anybody else using the software. In addition to text, mobile users' posts may include an uploaded photo. Current platforms supported are limited to devices running Android 2.0+, iPhone/iPod Touch, Windows Mobile, and S60.[3]
History
The product was announced on February 9, 2010 in a press conference at the company's Mountain View headquarters and launched on the same day, at 11:00 a.m. PT for its first wave.[6] The Google Buzz feature will be rolled out to Gmail accounts in the coming weeks and it is possible to access the service from the Gmail inbox. A mobile version of the site optimized for Android phones and Apple's iPhone has also been launched.[3]
Reception
Privacy
Some of Google Buzz's features have been noted to have privacy concerns that are similar to those that Facebook experienced and have been regarded as per the course.[7] However, one feature in particular has been criticized as a severe privacy flaw, in which by default Google Buzz discloses to a user's public profile a list of the Gmail contacts that the user has most frequently e-mailed or chatted with.[8][9]
See also
- Orkut A social networking site operated by Google since 2004 , now with 100 million active members.
References
- ^ a b Guynn, Jessica (2010-02-09). "Google aims to rival Facebook with new social feature called "Buzz"". LA Times. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ Edwards, Andru (2010-02-09). "Google Buzz announced". Gearlive. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ a b c Herrman, John (2010-02-09). "Live From Google's February Event: Google Gets Twittery". Gizmodo. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ Blog announcement
- ^ Helft, Miguel (2010-02-09). "With Buzz, Google Plunges Into Social Networking". NY Times. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ^ "Google Goes Social with Google Buzz". Mashable. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ Brian Prince (2010-02-10). "Google Buzz Privacy Concerns Similiar to Facebook Issues". eWeek.
- ^ Robert McMillan (2010-02-10). "Google Buzz Criticized for Disclosing Gmail Contacts". IDG News Service.
- ^ Nicholas Carlson (2010-02-10). "WARNING: Google Buzz Has A Huge Privacy Flaw". The Business Insider.
External links
 | This World Wide Web–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |