Google"s New Social Layer Is Rumored to Be a Tool Bar - What Might It Do?
For months, the internet world has been buzzing over a rumored social layer from Google that would supposedly pose a threat to Facebook's dominance.
The much talked about surprise is now believed to be a simple tool bar that integrates across the search company's web properties.
While some pundits are disappointed that the layer does not appear to be something more extravagant, others are still trying to figure out what it is, and what it might do.
What is It? Unidentified sources are now officially calling Google's social layer Google+ One, which appears to be far more than the average tool bar you find on your browser.
From what is currently known, the layer is a feature that provides a new way for users to share content with their friends.
This a conclusion that has been drawn from a leaked screenshot that found its way online.
It is also interesting to note that the screenshot image reveals a new item in the navigation bar in top left corner of the screen.
According to technology news site TechCrunch, the item is called Loops, which in Google lingo is equivalent to groups.
It is believed that the rumored tool bar will allow users to share web content with the users who are members of their Loops.
Potential Release Date When the rumors first started up a few months ago, the speculated social layer was being referred to as Google Me.
In addition, many thought that it would be officially launched some time in the fourth quarter of 2010.
With the new year rapidly approaching, it is almost safe to say that this is not going to happen.
Now it is being speculated that the layer will be released in either March or April of 2011.
Company co-founder Sergey Brin is supposed to be involved in the project, and if this is true, Google could be taking extra time to perfect it instead of rushing to launch and suffering the backlash it did with Google Buzz earlier this year.
Will it Make an Impact? At this point, Google's rumored tool bar or social layer, does not appear to be anything special - certainly not to the point where it would dramatically raise its profile in the social networking space.
It is hard to imagine people finding any good use for it when there is already such a wide variety of tools that allow users to share content in so many ways.
With that said, all this is based on speculation, so until there is something concrete, it impossible to truly say what, if any impact the tool bar will have.
To no surprise, Google is not saying anything about the supposed tool bar other than it is always working on something new.
It will be interesting to see if the company delivers what observers have been speculating on, or shock us by launching something totally expected.
Until then, all we can do is wait and keep playing the guessing game.
The much talked about surprise is now believed to be a simple tool bar that integrates across the search company's web properties.
While some pundits are disappointed that the layer does not appear to be something more extravagant, others are still trying to figure out what it is, and what it might do.
What is It? Unidentified sources are now officially calling Google's social layer Google+ One, which appears to be far more than the average tool bar you find on your browser.
From what is currently known, the layer is a feature that provides a new way for users to share content with their friends.
This a conclusion that has been drawn from a leaked screenshot that found its way online.
It is also interesting to note that the screenshot image reveals a new item in the navigation bar in top left corner of the screen.
According to technology news site TechCrunch, the item is called Loops, which in Google lingo is equivalent to groups.
It is believed that the rumored tool bar will allow users to share web content with the users who are members of their Loops.
Potential Release Date When the rumors first started up a few months ago, the speculated social layer was being referred to as Google Me.
In addition, many thought that it would be officially launched some time in the fourth quarter of 2010.
With the new year rapidly approaching, it is almost safe to say that this is not going to happen.
Now it is being speculated that the layer will be released in either March or April of 2011.
Company co-founder Sergey Brin is supposed to be involved in the project, and if this is true, Google could be taking extra time to perfect it instead of rushing to launch and suffering the backlash it did with Google Buzz earlier this year.
Will it Make an Impact? At this point, Google's rumored tool bar or social layer, does not appear to be anything special - certainly not to the point where it would dramatically raise its profile in the social networking space.
It is hard to imagine people finding any good use for it when there is already such a wide variety of tools that allow users to share content in so many ways.
With that said, all this is based on speculation, so until there is something concrete, it impossible to truly say what, if any impact the tool bar will have.
To no surprise, Google is not saying anything about the supposed tool bar other than it is always working on something new.
It will be interesting to see if the company delivers what observers have been speculating on, or shock us by launching something totally expected.
Until then, all we can do is wait and keep playing the guessing game.
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