Will You Buzz?
It’s Here - Google’s version of Social Media, it’s called Buzz and if you use GMail it arrived in your inbox a few days ago. Buzz had many similarities to Twitter, but with that special Google Twist to things. Your profile comes from Google ( My Profile ) and isn’t as much fun as Facebook… But it’s got some great points for those of use who are Social Media Experts .
After using it for several days I’m very impressed. Unlike other social media it tells you how many updates you’ve got, similar to how you see how many email you’ve got in GMail. This is a feature I like.
A MEGA benefit is that you’re NOT limited to 140 characters, so you can post more information - like articles. I’m finding that those of us who are pioneers are much like those who were Twitter pioneers. There are not a TON of people on Buzz yet, but there will be. We are also learning the how to’s to this great new offering from Google.
One of the other neat features is what you can do with your Nexus One Google Phone (I don’t have one). You can connect with your friends and find out their location with the phone (This could mean TMI - Too much information).
This new social network has not been without controversy. Some have become upset that Google integrated your contacts with the social network so people like your doctor were automatically added to Buzz. While I didn’t mind - some ( perhaps those with a secret lover ), were not as thrilled with what they decided was an attack on their privacy.
Will Google Buzz be a Facebook killer? I don’t think so… But it all depends on how they build it out. I liked Google Wave, but didn’t have enough friends who were also allowed on it. Perhaps Google will add some of the Really Cool features from Google Wave to Google Buzz.
Is Google Wave better than Twitter? I think there’s HUGE potential here. You can post pics and video right to your thread ( I’m not sure what the name is for this yet ) and it’s way more interactive than Twitter. Much easier to follow a conversation.
The biggest request so far has been collapsible conversation. I, as well as many others want the ability to collapse the conversation so we’re not scrolling for days to get to the next conversation.
Another opportunity I’d like to see is the ability to no get the updates on my phone. 80 comments on a Buzz going to my Blackberry can really interrupt my focus.
Give Google Buzz a try, share your comments and follow me, you’ll find my Google Buzz profile here.
