Have you heard that Google is going social? -Computerworld ~ Computer Gaming

Computerworld - if you follow the rumours on Google will release a social network of its own, your head may be spinning.

Speculation online is everywhere today, and Google does not do much to dispel the confusion.

For months now, online chat focused on the question of whether Google is secretly working on its own social networking site - something that focuses on gaming or perhaps one that concentrates on music or movies. What is - and if it has called Google me or Google circle - it was called several times a Facebook killer.

This is quite optimistic since Google did not have much luck in the social networking type. After all, in August last Google was throwing the towel on his first effort of social networking - vague Google. Not a good omen early, according to industry analysts.

Thus, prompting avalanche this week of speculation?

First, there was much talk that Google may be unveiling a social networking service called Google circle at SXSW, film, interactive and current music festival in Austin, Texas.

But Sunday a tweet from @ googlesxsw dotted these rumours, saying: "we are not all products at # SXSW, but we do much more".

The saga continues.

Google Chris Messina, nicknamed Google Developer Evangelist, said AllThingsDigital that the company launches its own social network.

One would think that would put the idea to the bed.

But over the weekend, pundit technology Tim O'Reilly, added fuel to the fire when he tweeted, "I saw google circles, and it seems awesome.". The tweet has since been fired and O'Reilly said AllThingsDigital that "it is not a product, per se, and it is not a new social network." Some research is how you could better manage social data. »

Sources say Computerworld that Messina does not really say that Google does not work on a social platform. The company strives to make more social products but is staying mum if an autonomous platform is in progress.

In a response by email at Computerworld, a Google spokesperson said that it has not any information about when or if a platform will launch.

That hardly settled things, according to Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group. Olds said that it was obviously not clear what Google is doing, but it is clear that the society should be something in the social field.

"If Google built its own social network or not, they have to meet the thrust of Facebook and the power inherent in the Facebook business model," he added. "Even if the two companies is apparently directly compete, they really are." They are in competition for the time and the attention of the user. They have also very valuable data, they can provide to businesses. »

Olds was also noted that he do not think that Google needs to launch its own platform, but it has to make its current more social services, which in turn make them more useful.

Sharon gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technology and chips and laptops for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at Twitter @ sgaudin or subscribe flow RSS of Sharon Gaudin RSS . His e-mail address is sgaudin@computerworld.com.