Microsoft working on its own social network Socl

November 15, 2011 By Mike Dunn

Microsoft is working on its very own social network that is it currently calling Socl, but that name may change. Socl looks like a couple of social networks you know and love (or hate), but offers a couple of new features that people should enjoy.

We know you have been begging for yet another social network, and Microsoft is making what it hopes is the next big one. The Verge was able to get a hands-on demo of Microsoft’s social network that it is currently calling Socl. In an already very crowded social network market Socl will have to provide an improved user experience over existing services to be a success.

Just looking at the pictures of the site it is hard to not be reminded of Facebook, and Google+. You see a bar across the top with a search feature, and three vertical columns on the body of the page. In the middle of the page is your news feed, and navigation options are on the left. The design of Socl isn’t going to win any creativity awards, but maybe Socl will be less about form and more about function.

The right column is dedicated to “video parties”, which might be the key feature of the service. Unlike Google+ and Facebook video chatting “video parties” seem to be more about enjoying content with your friends. For example if you found an amazing viral video that you wanted to watch with your friends you could invite them to a party and watch it together. If done properly we think this feature alone might be worth trying out Socl.

It also seems as though Socl is trying to be make social searching the focus of site. The site encourages you to ask your friends questions, it does this by making the default status update in the form of a question. This feature sounds like it might be a healthy combination of Quora and Facebook, asking a question you want an answer to, but asking your friends, and not the general public.

Socl has a couple of features that have peaked our interest, but it is of course far too early to know just how much of an impact Socl can make. Officially it isn’t even clear if Socl will be launched, and if it is who knows if it will keep the current format. What are your thoughts?

Showing 14 comments

Dave Henderson at 9:26am 19th November 2011 Microsoft need to concentrate on getting their existing products working correctly before going off creating social networks that will inevitably fall over like the rest of the junk they churn out.
peter_venero at 10:55pm 18th November 2011 So I can't believe that yet another technology giant is wasting such beautiful minds and vast resources to reinvent the wheel - I mean seriously?? Obviously not many will leave Facebook because it's always being improved. They're listening to people. Who honestly wants to uproot all of their data and movie social networks? It's not like MySpace and Friendster which were very clunky and slow to evolve, which is why we needed Facebook. We don't need another one.I think that there is potential with Google+, but only if they focus on their own niche. Facebook has become too bombarded with both personal and business contacts, which isn't the best combo. Google+ can take advantage of this by making their niche based around business networking and collaboration. Google Apps would integrate perfectly with this. Yes there is LinkedIn, but this is pretty much just an online resumé.Who knows, maybe Microsoft can rule this social business networking before Google+ can figure out what they're trying to do.PS - Digital Trends - your sign-in with Twitter does not work at all. Anyone can follow me on twitter anyway @peter_venero
contentwriter at 6:13pm 16th November 2011 I deactivated my Facebook account yesterday it's beginning to "feel" like MySpace to me. Too much information and too much pointless crap. I still have my Google Plus account but OMG it's like watching paint dry! I feel like I'm talking to myself...even my thoughts have echo when I'm on Google Plus...and now Microsoft?....sigh....
1. Ian Bell at 7:51pm 16th November 2011 haha I felt that way with Google Plus too. And yes, Facebook has way too much "noise" going on. Too many shared things going on etc. Its for those with ADD!
  1. contentwriter at 8:56am 17th November 2011 LOL ...ADD...funny!
  2. bclark at 10:21am 21st November 2011 Yup. I find myself mired in minutiae every time i take a peek at facebook. If could convince most of my family to migrate to g+ I would never use facebook. What makes matters worse is the high incidence of ADD in my family which doesn't bode well for my ambitions. lol.
2. peter_venero at 10:46pm 18th November 2011 Sounds like you're not really sure of what you want. You're never going to find the *perfect* social network. Take the best one and just don't partake in the "pointless crap".
Joel Geist at 2:18pm 16th November 2011 Just give up already. You can't compete with FB
Keith Justice Hayward at 2:13pm 16th November 2011 This is as pointless to me as Google Plus in a world that already has Facebook.
Brandon Atkinson at 11:48am 16th November 2011 They better be good! I'm thinking about ditching Facebook....Google Plus or Twitter may be what I'm going to as well. xD
Sais Shishir KS at 7:36am 16th November 2011 After being disappointed by Google Plus, I think I would wait.
Maria Terzi at 5:19am 16th November 2011 Microsoft must bring something really new and novel in the table if they want their sns to succeed.. which I doubt:p
Harley Alderson at 5:16am 16th November 2011 cant wait to get on it. i like microsoft they do a good job no matter hwat anyone says. their antivirus is tops, i havent ever had a problem with the operating systems that i have had other than the early windows versions lol
Shaun Haney at 5:14am 16th November 2011 It's about time? How many years were they thinking of waiting?