The Buzz: Google to Offer Buzz Independent of Gmail?

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As Google (News - Alert) rolls out its social networking product over the next few days, there is already a “buzz” about the online giant spreading its wings and offering Google Buzz to non-Gmail users.

 

Such a move may be embraced by users of both products, especially taking into account privacy concerns voiced about Google Buzz, reported Search Engine Land. “It’s clear that interest in Buzz may extend beyond the current Gmail base, and we’re open to serving that community,” Bradley Horowitz, Google’s vice president of product marketing, told reporter Danny Sullivan.

 

Currently, official setup is not necessary for those with Gmail accounts; users can automatically follow the people they email and chat with the most in Gmail, according to company officials.

 

However, for the moment, Google is pushing its Buzz product by rolling it out to all Gmail accounts over the next few days.

 

 “We’ve blogged before about our thoughts on the social Web, steps we’ve taken to add social features to our products, and efforts like OpenSocial that propose common tools for building social apps,” blogged Todd Jackson, product manager, Gmail and Google Buzz. “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 peck out an entirely new set of friends from scratch – it just works. If you think about it, there’s always been a big social network underlying Gmail.”