Google’s Buzz Targets Social Networking

Google announced a new product on Tuesday, or rather, a new feature in Gmail, called Buzz. Google Buzz is a social networking adjunct to Google’s services, obviously aimed at both Facebook and Twitter.

Google Buzz is sort of Twitter integrated with Gmail. In effect, once it rolls out to your Gmail account and you accept the Buzz “offer” to sign up, you’ll see a Google Buzz thumbnail below your inbox in the Gmail sidebar.

You’ll find yourself auto-following your 40 most used Gmail contacts. You’ll be able to import content from Picasa, Flickr, Google Reader, YouTube, and Twitter. No outgoing stuff, at least for now. Meaning, you can’t enter the Buzz section of Gmail and expect it to post to Twitter.

You can post updates to Buzz that are public or private, on a per-post basis. Buzz will also recommend certain posts to you, even from those you aren’t following, and “learn” as you respond by accepting or ignoring recommendations.

There’s also a mobile version of Google Buzz. Navigate to Google.com on your handset, and you will see a new Buzz icon on the top-right. Also included in their buzziness is a web app for iPhone and Android smartphones. Not only that, Google Maps for Mobile will be revamped to include Buzz support.

Not everything Google puts out is received well, and it remains to be seen if Google’s Buzz will suit the needs of people who are already addicted to Twitter or Facebook.

You can see a video from Google on Buzz here.