Despite criticism, and an overall frustrating experience, Google is definitely not ready to give up on Buzz. The latest indication comes today by way of a new Android widget that makes it easier than ever to post updates to the service.
The new Google Buzz widget for Android allows you to post text or photos to the service without having to launch any app on the device. And, if you choose, you can easily tag your location to your buzz, as well as determine if it should be public or private. This widgets extends the already solid support the Android platform is offering the young service. For example, Buzz is built into Google Maps on Android, as well.
This new widget looks very slick — easily one of the best widgets for Android yet. And it furthers my opinion that Buzz should have been launched as a location-based service first. Of course, this simple functionality wouldn’t be possible on the iPhone, which doesn’t allow for widgets (and who knows if they’d even accept a Buzz native app at this point — or if Google would even create one for them).
Google talked about Buzz quite a bit this past week during a panel at SXSW. They apparently are thinking about letting users pre-test new features now.
This new widget works on Android 1.6 and later. To find it, search for “Google Buzz Widget” in the Android Market.
“Overall frustrating experience”? I’m sorry but “overall” is quite a general term here. I love Google buzz and I’ve no frustration with the service.
care to elaborate. you’re literally the first non-google person i’ve heard from who isn’t frustrated by many parts of the user experience.
I am not saying it is perfect. As you mention, the integration with Twitter is awful. But content sharing is rich and centralized, which I miss in Twitter. I have a group of friends and we daily have discussions about different topics and articles shared by Google Reader. Those discussions are impossible using Twitter (they can be done better using Friendfeed, but come on, who cares about Friendfeed anymore?
I wrote a blog post last week about my opinion in how Buzz is better than Twitter in these aspects I mentioning here. I am [shamelessly] adding a Google Translated version here: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://noveltica.com/google-buzz-un-mes-despues/&sl=es&tl=en
See the figures and let me know what do you think about these comparisons. Are they fair? Do I have a point> Or what am I missing.
Again, I have complains, the service is not perfect. But I have complains about Twitter and other services too. In *overall* I think the integration of Google Services into Buzz makes it interesting and a nice tool to share content and create interesting discussions in a centralized place.
Cool but not that great.
I can see why Buzz tried to infer the social network because it’s just easier to gain traction that way but I think it comes at a real cost. At least with FB, your network has been vetted by you. I don’t think Google gets that. Sometimes algorithms work’s sometimes they don’t. Sometimes you need humans to make decisions. Reasons to use it: http://bit.ly/google-buzz-opinionated-debacle
Mayebe he’s from Google too.
I am not =(. Well, they gave me a scholarship for my undergraduate studies a couple of years ago but after that they only killed me in three job interviews. But yep, a “fanboy” would be a good term here. I accept it.
would have to agree. i liked it when it first came out and still like it.
i think b/c its integrated w/ gmail (unlike wave) and i have gmail as its own app (via Fluid), the ‘endless loop’ inclusion of people didn’t bother me too much.
maybe i’m in the minority that if u dont want random people to know whats up to not post (it any form) online?
I agree. I was bothered (not really but the whole controversy made me bother) about the initial privacy issues. After that its been a smooth ride – the most addictive part being checking android gmaps for what people are the world are buzzing.
Agreed. I’ve had zero problems with Buzz from day one. Including any issues with so called “privacy violations”. As far using it; I don’t know where this “frustration” comes from. It gives you multiple methods of interacting with it and all work very well.
two things.
how did u get that screenshot from android? i’m guessing via the developer code, connect to pc setup?
where is the qr code?!?!
awesome, btw.
screenshot from google – really wish they had an easier way to do it on the device.
Being a long time Android user and now a Nexus One owner, still not being able to take screenshots from the device is absurd.
I have the SDK set up with Eclipse and take screenshots through it, but I really think this is a missed marketing opportunity for Google. How often do you see screens of an iPhone app and want to know more?
Sidenote: I would love to see QR codes on any post about Android apps as well.
“I have the SDK set up with Eclipse and take screenshots through it”
What’s wrong with that method? You get a pixel perfect “screenshot” that way.
I totally agree with mg..love google and all it’s branches but some how buzz seems the weakest of them all…
i realy like it its not blogin and its not twitter. and adds a chat like exchange of ideas.
also it allaws you to share blogs and lots of information it may not be like facebook. but facebook is a flirt and keep in touch see my pictures things and thats all
Why would they give up on it after 5-6 weeks?
Tech people need to step outside their own world a bit. It’s like if something isn’t embraced by the social media hardcore in 36 hours it’s a failure. lol
i like how techcrunch is the only website with a buzz button. noone uses buzz. noone wants to use buzz. noone will ever use buzz outside of techcrunch.
I feel taunted by screen shots of Google Buzz and Goggles…with an HTC Eris these things are unavailable to me. Until it is a priority to upgrade these 1.5/1.6 phones to 2.0, these products will never see their full potential to take off as there is a huge contingent of people who would use them but can’t.
I personally like Buzz, but in the eyes of many it fell short of Twitter and other familiar to us social outlets/tools.
This however is the step in the right direction.
Can’t wait to try it out… Cheers!
why does the Android interface look so like 1999?
Of course, this simple functionality wouldn’t be possible on the iPhone, which doesn’t allow for widgets (and who knows if they’d even accept a Buzz native app at this point — or if Google would even create one for them).
Buzzie for the iPhone has been available since the start of this month. It got a really good news coverage on launch. How could you miss that?
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=buzzie&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Wow, a major dumbass statement by MG.
Why would I post anything if I cannot see what my friends are replying. Lame to have this widget unless it can also show the thread. I will check after one month and then re-install this. Right now, am uninstalling this….
Ya… they’re gonna keep force feeding us Buzz crap.
I’m reminded of that old SNL skit…
“Cuz we’re the phone company!”
Dear Google,
Please stop making shitty widgets, star-gazing apps, things like Google Goggles, and other apps we don’t care about. Please make apps we care about like Google Docs and Google Reader apps.
A friend of mine sent me this video showing how much Google Buzz can invade users’ privacy…. thought it was worth passing along to everyone else as a word of warning!
This widget is a waste of time. You still can read the Buzz on a 1.6 Android. Looks like Facebook doesn’t have anything to worry about here.
WTF !!! buzz is far beter compare to twitter .