Comments on: 8 Ways Google Can Become a Social Hub Overnight

By: Rick Clark

Rick Clark — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:36:04 +0000

Thanks for providing this great info-especially the convenient links!

By: Selena Narayanasamy

Selena Narayanasamy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:23:26 +0000

Hi Henry! Yes, I wrote it the day after I heard about the streaming updates being released… I was kind of imagining up something that would be nice to have :) I’m happy that Google incorporated as much into Buzz as they did, rather than just streaming updates.

My idea on iGoogle being popular is based on a few articles I’ve seen over the years (from 2007 on) or just the amount of users I’ve personally seen. The majority of users I come across with Gmail have iGoogle set as their home page for the convenience. I don’t have any official statistics- it’s more of an observation. I don’t think you’re picking holes- it’s a fair question to ask.

I agree with you about Google Wave perhaps being trouble for Google to build into Buzz, however, Wave is still fairly new and has a lot of improvements to go through. As with everything else that’s is fairly new, it will take some trial and error/trouble shooting to get it to work right :) I think once all the kinks are worked out and Wave is modified to fit Buzz it could be a pretty awesome idea… but would still take some bravery on Google’s part like you had pointed out!

By: Henry Elliss, Tamar

Henry Elliss, Tamar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:38:55 +0000

A nice idea, though I suspect one that may have come before the Google Buzz announcement? Either way, whilst I agree that Google have the potential to do a lot of this, I think you’ve made a lot of assumptions about how popular various parts of Google are – though I may just be missing some stats here. Do you KNOW that iGoogle is “already a popular homepage for users”, or is that guess-work? Genuine enquiry – not trying to pick holes.

I also remain unconvinced about Google Wave, so I think it would be VERY brave (or perhaps foolish) for Google to build that in to any socially integrated “hub” quite yet…

By: SM

SM — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:33:51 +0000

More than a year ago, it was clear that Google took the direction toward sociality.

By: Selena Narayanasamy

Selena Narayanasamy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:52:36 +0000

JackNguyen- Google is becoming more and more like other networking sites everyday! Facebook and email?! Oh no! That’s my biggest nightmare! Back when Myspace started adding personal email accounts is when I stopped using that service. I don’t think I like the idea of a social networking site integrating email… I think that’s why Google is in a prime position to do make a social hub… they already have the basics set up with long-time users and aren’t working backwards.

Hanging back a little and seeing what Facebook and Twitter have successfully done may be to Google’s advantage… now they don’t have to necessarily do as much trial and error, just troubleshooting with their own application/products!

By: JackNguyen.com

JackNguyen.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:23:55 +0000

It’s funny how Gmail is trying to be more like Facebook, etc., and just this past week I read that Facebook is thinking about adding email!

By: Selena Narayanasamy

Selena Narayanasamy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:10:00 +0000

I think it would be way different than Google Wave. Google Wave is mainly a collaboration tool but it doesn’t implement any kind of video/google voice type tools. Wave actually scares me a little and I’m used to complicated web applications. I would hope that they wouldn’t make it as scattered as that, even though it’s very useful.

Like you said, I’m hoping Gmail remains the main focus. Having the ability to disable certain features you wouldn’t use would make it more user friendly :)

By: JackNguyen.com

JackNguyen.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:04:54 +0000

That’s a good point. Not sure if Google wants to lose focus on the main purpose of Gmail, which is to check emails. Very curious on how this new social feature would differ than Google Wave.

By: Selena Narayanasamy

Selena Narayanasamy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:56:16 +0000

Joanna- Thanks! I was wondering the same thing about the cannibalization of non-social users, but if Google did it the right way it could be simple enough where they can either ignore things they don’t want to use (or disable it), or even learn to use them! The opportunity for people to adapt would be amazing.

My mom is a woman who generally hated computers her whole life and never liked to use them. I gave her a laptop for Christmas a few years ago and now she’s all over the place using Twitter, YouTube etc. Maybe a hub will encourage users to explore the social media/networking options out there without being too intimidating!

JackNguyen.com- Yes! I’m waiting to hear the official announcement! I’m dying to try it out! Would Gmail streaming updates be something that you think you would use from day to day?

By: JackNguyen.com

JackNguyen.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:50:44 +0000

Great post! Google’s also announcing a new social feature within Gmail today. Should be some interesting stuff!