How Google’s ‘Secret’ Social Network Is Poised To Rule Them All

Woah. I never would of thought of Google as a social network. I'm not using it to it's full potential. I've been using Gmail for years and just started using Analytics and Picasa last week. Reader doesn't seem like something I would use but looking at Google Documents and Calendar I will more than likely start using them.

Great video. Thanks for posting it.

...great insight. And thanks for spreading the word. Google has been giving us so much good stuff for so long - and now it's paying off for them and for us all.

Keep having fun.

---v

Man - I just got this from you on Twitter! Great information and now i will consume mass quantities of information from this amazingly informative blog vlog combo! You have inspired me to leave the clients workload for another day and work on my blogs...client crisis's have had me in a damn chokehold! Love to be a part of your Google Social Net!

Peace and be well

bobbygzus

I have been using Gmail almost since its beginning. I like the Themes and chat potential, but the Labs section worries me slightly. What if you pick one of those apps and Google decides to drop it? Then what?

Another problem I see is that by relying on Google and Gmail (and all their other apps), what do you do when Gmail drops dead, as it has a lot lately. I find that it is best not to rely only on one service to the extent that Google wants you to rely on them.

@Anita

If you use Google's "Offline" option you can work with your emails/calendar offline and even if Google Calendar/Gmail is not working. See http://bit.ly/11SECA for details.

You can also use Google’s apps that includes hosting premium applications for $50 per user per year. This service is nearly never down.

To see Status of all Google Apps LIVE, See http://bit.ly/iIpU9.

Have a good day :)

Michael.

Not sure if I agree how 'social' igoogle is... but I completely agree about the gmail and google voice.. we're all part of one big conspiracy! hehe
You do have a strong point though!

You could make igoogle a social hub if you were so inclined by adding myspace, facebook, twitter, etc. Gadgets.

I think Google's web services are still quite fragmented and it's not quite a seamless Social Network. Would like to hear where you think Orkut fits into Google's overall offering here. Windows Live also ties email (Hotmail) + Messenger + Photo Sharing + Blogging, Mobile together all united with a Windows Live ID (your Hotmail account). So the assertion Google is doing something unique here is off. Yahoo even connect their services, Yahoo Mail, Flickr, Messenger all tied to a Yahoo account. So not clear to me why Google should be the Social Network of choice here, particulary when they're not the strongest player in Messenger and Email.

Your social hub is important. Services like FriendFeed and potentially Windows Live look like more compelling offerings for managing this. But we'll see! :-)

Hey Jesse,

First post I've seen tying in the Google Social view.

In addition to the Apps you mentioned; I think with the release of Google Latitude and Google Friend Connect - they are introducing social by stealth. I can see a shift towards Google Profiles as the "hub" to connect all the social apps.

Very interesting video. My email is bhoney@gmail.com. Google Latitude.. will have to look that up.