A new sort of Buzz?

15/02/10 posted by Annie

Expected to close in a matter of days is Google's sixth and latest company buy-out - internet search and social networking hybrid service, Aardvark. This next step for Google seems only too natural, bearing in mind the current growing influence of social network giants like Facebook and Twitter, which at times even surpasses search. Google's purchase of Aardvark also overlaps with the onset of Google Buzz - which over the last couple of days has decided to drop auto-follow as a dramatic recompense to the millions of users concerned with potential privacy evasion.

As someone who has thus far resisted the sway of Buzz, I'd imagine being extremely affronted by seeing a Buzz account automatically set up for me to follow people - when all I want to do is look on from a distance. This change has no doubt settled the mind of users who can see merit in the service, but have little care for the updates of old contacts. Google has also dismantled the automatic connection between Buzz and your Picasa Web Albums and Google Reader. This is a reassuring gesture for lay-persons who didn't want their photos plastered all over the social universe. Buzz, however, maintains that privacy was always first in mind.

According to recent stats, Twitter is already under siege and Facebook is feeling very insecure by the latest buzz. Buzz seems to have gained traction so quickly due to its simplicity and wider online community (thanks to the four million or so existing Gmail users). And one other crucial element: it's easily accessible from your Gmail page - along with all the other Google tools. So Google may have effectively streamlined our surfing experience by putting everything in one place.

Not to be forgotten though, Microsoft is about to give Outlook an added social layer, by incorporating Windows Live and third-party network streams. Apparently Outlook Social Connector will be available as a public beta version next week. What does this mean for the future of actually getting things done? A higher rate of distractions, or a more accessible, clear-cut social market?