Google edges closer to social network launch
Speculation that Google intends to launch a social network has increased, with reports over the weekend suggesting it will be unveiled in May.
According to technology blog The Next Web, the search giant is to launch Google Circles, which will offer photo, video and status message sharing, as it bids to make its own mark on the English-language social networking space.
Google has launched several social-based products over the years, including Google Buzz and Wave, but has failed to gain ground on Facebook and Twitter.
Wave was a cross-platform personal communication and collaboration tool, which Google dropped last summer due to lack of take-up. A few days after it abandoned Wave it announced its acquisition of social app company Slide.
The search giant already has a social network, Orkut, which is highly popular in Brazil and India. However, despite having more than 100 million global users it has failed to take off in English-speaking countries or Europe.
Last month speculation arose over a potential Twitter buyout. Google and Facebook were both understood to be keen to buy Twitter in a deal estimated to be worth $10bn.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
