Google Buzz 101 #googlebuzz

Google Buzz has hit the market and people everywhere are buzzing about the possibilities… well, they are mostly just complaining.

Here are a few of the Tweets on #googlebuzz:

Google Buzz 101

If you want to see what Google Buzz is and how it’s integrated into Gmail, watch this video I just created:

My Thoughts on Google Buzz

In using Google Buzz, one of the first things I noticed was that not only were my “buzzes” going to the new Buzz section, they were also flooding into my inbox in Gmail creating double the noise.  The beauty with Twitter is that I can shut the website off or close Tweetdeck.  It’s not something that is forcing its way into my life like an ex-boyfriend or a stray cat.  Apparently, this is a feature that was definitely chosen and there is no visible way to turn it off.  One Twitterer recommended setting up a filter… Yeahhh, I’ll filter the buzzes all right – straight into my TRASH!

Second, Google Buzz has zero, easy-to-find settings and the finding friends option is not clearly marked from the Gmail add-on.  The interface is pretty simple to use and it mimics the Google Mail interface nicely.  For people who are used to using Gmail, this will be an easy thing to use.  However, I think they need to make finding friends and the general settings much more prominent on the interface.

Third, Google Buzz has a lot of people talking about geolocation based messaging.  What this means is that when you are updating your status on Buzz, it will also point out to your followers where you are.  This has many issues for me — I like using apps like Foursquare and Gowalla because they are optional.  When I am cool with people knowing where I am (ie: eating sushi with a group of people) I tell the world.  If I am NOT cool with people knowing where I am (ie: traveling to a city alone where I don’t really know anyone), I like to go incognito.  We’ll see how easy it is to turn this geolocation based messaging on/off.  If it’s not, it’s a huge invasion of privacy and freaks me out a little.

Fourth, I think this is Google’s way of trying to rescuciate a dead Google Wave…  In all honesty, they should be focusing their attention on integrating Google Wave into Gmail… Oh wait, Google Buzz integrates into Gmail… Google Buzz also does threaded messaging like Wave did… I’m confused.  Are they the same?  Are they different?  What’s happening with Wave?  Oh Google…  One of my favorite Tweets of the morning is this one:

Fifth, Google Buzz is making use of the mobile market but using browser-based updating instead of an app format.  I much prefer to be able to access everything via apps instead of using Safari on my iPhone so I hope that they make an app for this if it really does take off (not a prediction… I predict it dies.)

The world doesn’t need another social media network. The world needs a much more streamlined approach to this entire thing.  People want to have improved connections and to be able to update ONE social networking service and not feel the need to update many.

However… those are just my rants.  What are your thoughts?

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