Skip to main content

Google Gets Socially Awkward with Google Buzz

Dear Google,

google-buzz2We have a quick question for you: Are you feeling okay? What’s been going on lately, Google? We’re starting to get concerned. Google just unveiled its attempt to build a social networking site called Google Buzz. That’s right, Google unveiled a social networking feature for email—and next week, Google will continue its retrograde back in time by unveiling a DVD player and then later, a Walk-man.

This has been done before, Google. We hate to tell you, but you’re kind of late to the whole social networking game. So far this week, Google has done some surprising, yet still inevitably uneventful, things that has made the media question the company’s strategy and sobriety. Google has the genius and resources to accomplish some outstanding feats in this industry, which is why today’s Gmail/Google Buzz announcement made everyone a little confused.

Dan Frommer, Deputy Editor of The Business Insider, was more unimpressed than confused. Although Frommer thinks the new Gmail feature is well designed, he feels it lacks imagination and effort.  “But 400 million people are already happily using Facebook, and tens of millions (or hundreds of thousands) are using the other services,” says Frommer. “Why would they switch to this Google service when there are no compelling reasons to do so?”

Give us a compelling reason to care about your announcements, Google. Make a pair of shoes with your Google Maps Navigation tracking system in them, give us some details about the new Chrome Tablet Concept, or lower the price of the Nexus One—this is 2010, build a hover-craft—and give us some real news to chew on, the kind that won’t sheet our mouths with the taste of mediocrity.

Of course, Google could just be messing with us. The company execs could be lounging around the Mountain View headquarters plotting new ways to mess with the media, while their engineers are hard at work in the basement putting an Android operating system in anything and everything. And if so, then touché old friend, you got us good—but play time is over, now please go build our hover-craft.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dena Cassella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Haole built. O'ahu grown
This new Google Chrome feature may boost your search history
A MacBook with Google Chrome loaded.

Google is adding a new feature to its Chrome web browser that’s intended to help you find previously browsed topics and pick up where you left off. Called Journeys, it’s rolling out now for Chrome’s desktop version.

The feature essentially works like an extension of browsing history. When you type a word into the search bar or head to the Chrome History Journeys page in your browser, you will see a list of previously visited sites linked to that topic. Chrome will know how much you’ve interacted with any particular site, and those it considers the most relevant to you will go to the top of the pile.

Read more
How to change margins in Google Docs
Laptop Working from Home

Don't let the sparse user interface fool you. Like in other word processors, it is possible to adjust your margins in Google Docs. And we can show you how to change margins in Google Docs in just a few quick steps.

Read more
How to use Google Maps
Google Assistant on Google Maps

Google Maps has long served as the go-to navigation tool for millions of phones, tablets, cars, and smart wearables. While everyone is probably familiar with using Google Maps to get from point A to point B, there are a multitude of multitool-like extras hiding under the hood that are worth highlighting. Over the years, Google has added features that allow you to save your favorite places, share your location with friends, and get personalized recommendations. Here is how to use Google Maps more useful but lesser-known features, like incognito mode, AR live view, sharing your location in real-time, and even finding the nearest COVID vaccination and testing site.
How to play your tunes

With all the understandable focus on driving directions and the depth of Google Maps itself, it's easy to forget Google Maps also features music controls for popular music services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music (Android only). Here's how to get the party started.

Read more