Thoughts on Google+

[ProgrammingFun]

You might have heard that Google launched its Google+ social-networking feature today as an assault on services like Facebook and Skype.
While quite amazing, it is just another social network that people have to join.
What do you think of its attempt? Will it overtake Facebook?
Vote and comment away!

More information is available here: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-invite-received-we-go-hands-on/

Engadget wrote:

It's hard to argue with Google's track record. The company has scored a hit in nearly every space in which it's dabbled: search, email, ads, office software, etc. There's always been one glaring exception to this rule, however: social networking. The company hasn't made much of a dent in a world dominated by Facebook (and, once upon a time, MySpace and Friendster). For Google+, however, the company dove in with both feet, launching a multi-faceted service that brings a lot to the table with features like Circles, Hang Out, and Huddle. Is it enough to end the Google's streak?...

[Tony]

Why is there no option for "already got it"?

Google+ is a "just another social network" in a way that Facebook and Twitter were "just another social network". Why would anyone join Facebook when all their friends were on MySpace?

I like Google+. I like it a lot. I'm ready to hit "delete" on my Facebook account the moment a few more of my key invites go through. Which does emphasize the problem of acquiring the critical-mass.

In many ways, it's up to us (the tech crowd) to decide if the product dominates Facebook, or falls into echo-chamber obscurity and dies. Average users are not aware and/or don't care and/or are willing to put up with broken applications, privacy violations, etc. Heck, some people (apparently) still use MySpace. As someone on the internet has so gently put it (though I'm paraphrasing): "I'll switch to a new social network if it lets me get laid by any of my friends, just by clicking on their picture". They don't care about features.

So Google is building Google+ for us. And it's up to us to be the first wave in, and drag all of our female acquaintances into this "hip new social space".

[apython1992]

Interesting...I haven't heard of this until just now. With the way Facebook has completely dominated the scene, I would have been hard pressed to think it could be taken down. But if I were to give anyone a decent shot, it would be Google. Now, why don't I get this option when I go to the Google page?

[Tony]

It's a soft-launch, so you need an invite + wait for increase in allowed capacity. Remember gmail invites?

[apython1992]

I've never had a gmail account, so I guess that would explain it! I'll just have to wait then.

[ProgrammingFun]

Tony @ Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:11 pm wrote:

Why is there no option for "already got it"?

Because I didn't expect anyone here to have it yet but I guess it makes sense for you to already have it (still waiting for mine ).

Tony @ Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:11 pm wrote:

In many ways, it's up to us (the tech crowd) to decide if the product dominates Facebook, or falls into echo-chamber obscurity and dies. Average users are not aware and/or don't care and/or are willing to put up with broken applications, privacy violations, etc. Heck, some people (apparently) still use MySpace. As someone on the internet has so gently put it (though I'm paraphrasing): "I'll switch to a new social network if it lets me get laid by any of my friends, just by clicking on their picture". They don't care about features.

So Google is building Google+ for us. And it's up to us to be the first wave in, and drag all of our female acquaintances into this "hip new social space".

I've already emphasized it on my Facebook page lol

[mirhagk]

I really wanna try this out, wish I had an invite lol

[BigBear]

I have seen the videos and to me it seems like they made a social networking site with a super easy way to hide content from people, which you can do on facebook.

I don't care to classify my friends into groups, I just want to talk to people and join events that are going on.

The video chat is a bonus, but it seems very much like facebook. Though I have not used it and actually want to test it out to see if I like it better.

EDIT: Tony send me an invite

[mirhagk]

Tony can you send me an invite too? mirhagk@gmail.com

[md]

*sigh* Not available for google apps accounts.

I hate being a second class citizen.

[ecookman]

Im interested
nraku@sympatico.ca if ya have got a spare invite
I quite like most of everything google throws out onto the market/internet market/wherever so this could be good too.

[Tony]

There are currently no invites available; it seems that everyone who's in right now is within 1 degree of some Google employee... I'm told "soon", so I'll let you guys know if something appears.

[Amailer]

md @ Wed 29 Jun, 1:03 pm wrote:

*sigh* Not available for google apps accounts.

I hate being a second class citizen.

I second that.

I don't think MySpace was as popular as Facebook is today so I don't see people switching over like they did from MySpace.
I think it is tough - many people are happy with Facebook and might not see the need to switch over,
not to mention they have to start from scratch and wait for all their other friends to switch as well

Oh and I agree, its up to the tech-crowed. No other way this will succeed if it ever is going to succeed.

[mirhagk]

I personally am not a huge fan of facebook, and I have it merely to keep in touch with people, all the apps and photo sharing and stuff doesn't matter to me really. However if this has enough social in it to take out a need for msn (yes I still use msn, since skype doesn't introduce any free new features) then I may definetly consider using it. At the very least it intrigues me since google does things right, and the possible integration it could offer would be amazing (it uses the same google account right? I hate logging into every single website)

[SNIPERDUDE]

Well, if you do get any invites to spare in the future Tony I'd love to try it out.

code:

leo.radio.leblanc@gmail.com