Lifetime Moms

If you have a Gmail account then you’ve probably seen the splash screen promoting another new product by Google, Google Buzz.

From the Google Blog:
“Google Buzz is a new way to start conversations about the things you find interesting. It’s built right into Gmail, so you don’t have to seek out an entirely new set of friends from scratch – it just works.” Buzz brings together the people you email and chat with into one network.  With Google Buzz you can easily share photos, videos, links and much more all within your Gmail inbox.

This morning as I read the announcement of Google Buzz, I refreshed my Gmail every few minutes waiting for it to show up. They aren’t launching it all at once, but intermittently, so if you don’t see it just give it some time.

You can connect your Google Buzz to Picasa, Flickr, Twitter, Google Reader, Blogger blogs, Google Chat and YouTube.

Google Buzz also lets you post directly from your mobile phone. I have an iPhone and it is automatically integrated into the AppGmail. You can even see what’s going around on Buzz near your location.

My intial review...

I like how you can integrate your twitter and flickr into Google Buzz.  What I’m not too thrilled about is that it sends you a Buzz note in your Gmail which adds to my already unmanageable inbox. 

I wonder if Google Buzz will become the “Go To” place for all things social or will it be just another tool to distract you from all the “work” that needs to be done?

I asked several people what their initial thoughts were about the new Google Buzz and there were some mixed reviews. While some thought it was a great new and more intimate way to communicate others thought it was just another time waster.

Kristina from www.momontherise.com thought, "Google Buzz creates, what seems to be, a more intimate space of instant conversation without the randomness of Twitter. I like that I can join in on conversations with people and follow those conversations without have to favorite or tag or search. The more I use it the more I like it and I see a place for it in my work collaborations."

Other's weren't so optimistic, losangelista twitted, "And I need this, why?" when we asked, what everyone's initial thoughts were about Google Buzz. HeatherL on twitter said, "Google does Twitter. Big whoop."

So time will only tell how successful Google Buzz is and will it become the new “Twitter.”