Is Google falling behind in search as it gets ambushed by Facebook and Microsoft?

They have the best algorithm, many of us have made money on their stock on multiple occasions throughout the years, they truly want to make a difference in the world, and they aren't evil - but is the darling of search about to get it's ass kicked?

Social relevancy isn't everything but it sure counts for a lot these days as we struggle through pages of irrelevant search results. As Microsoft's Bing partners with Facebook to deliver a simple and elegant social search solution it becomes clear that we could all use a little help from our friends. I've even started using Ping on iTunes with suprising results.

Now the #2 and fastest growing search engine (Bing) partners with the #1 in social networking to deliver what may end up being the most powerful combination in search. Facebook already counts for more click-throughs than Google when it comes to media links and you can bet that Microsoft is betting that the same strategy will work for them too. The ability to 'Like' a link as well as share or email search finds directly with your friends on Facebook is a huge plus. Zuckerberg was very accurate when he pointed out this morning during the press conference that search UI has not changed in years and Bing has made great strides in evolving this.

Now, I don't like to see anyone fail, and like everyone else, I am a BIG Google fan.  However this is sure to be a big wakeup call for Google to get their Buzz on...and fast.

Microsoft stock is starting to look a whole lot more interesting.

For details on the features that are launching take a look at the links below.

The Bing Social Layer

Social Layer Features

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

Is Twitter accidentally succeeding where others have failed?

Make no mistake, the current new Twitter rollout is a big change. Big enough to succeed in ways that Orkut, Buzz and Google Wave could not. (I won't review the feature set here as there are plenty of those available. Take a look at the links at the end of this post). While Twitter itself shies away from the fact that they may becoming more of a social engine, communication features tell a different story. Now the big difference here is the fact that unlike a 'traditional' social network or collaboration tool, you can of course follow anyone you please, unless of course their tweets are private, which is not the default.

While Twitter looks at themselves as a broader newscasting and informational tool that enables us to follow our peers, more and more of us are using the service to collaborate via sharing. The new tools enhance our ability to communicate with and find one another, and as a result will help to directly escalate the development of our ideas within this collaborative environment. Once the rollout is complete it will be interesting to see which direction this goes.  My bet is that Twitter accidentally succeeds where others have failed.

For those of you who do not have access to the new Twitter, watch the video here.

For functionality and feature set reviews, the most recent articles from a few different sources:

Holy Kaw: Twitter exec: “Twitter is not a social network”   

Fast Company: How the New Twitter Gives Your Favorite App a Run for Its Money

NYTimes: At Twitter, a Web Site Is Revamped and Simplified

Daily Beast: Twitter Unveils New Design

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

Watch as Location Based Services free us from our screens!

With information overkill, hyper localization via mobile GPS may be the way to filter down what is most relevant to us on a real-time basis. Twitter is certainly planning on that from a news standpoint and will surely beat major media at their own game with localized news feeds. Google Buzz has added the service and I am certain that Facebook is sure to follow (potentially in partnership with FourSquare?).

Specialized applications like Meetmoi for dating or MeetGatsby (via Foursquare) for introducing like minded individuals spontaneously who are close by are starting to get traction. I have been using MeetGatsby myself over the last few days and have been fascinated by the potential of meeting random people with interests close to mine as I am out and about during the course of the day. Time will tell as to the value or distraction that this will bring. It will be crucial for companies like these to form partnerships in addition to fostering an open development community in order to build out unique offerings before they are made irrelevant by the big boys (Google, FB and Twitter) when this kicks in full force.

The only thing holding many of us back is the concern over privacy (once again!). I believe we will all 'get over it' as we realize the potential of push applications that capitalize on real-time technology to do the hard work for us behind the scenes. My excitement over this is driven by the hope that this will allow us to spend more time participating in the real world, as opposed to being glued to our screens in search of connections...

Altogether a good thing.

Twitter Wants to Know Where You're @ With Improved Geo-Location and Privacy Features

Google takes another stab at location-based services with Buzz

Posted via web from Jared Hendler