With Digg's Kevin Rose tweeting out a rumor that Google is planning a social networking alternative to Facebook called "Google Me", the rumor mill around Mountain View is in full force.Sunday night, Chris Saad and I connected to discuss whether the Web needs a stronger alternative to Facebook, and if Google can be as strong in social as they are in more data-driven markets. Clearly, author of The Facebook Effect, David Kirkpatrick, says that they cannot, and the service's 500 million or so users are voting with their time and their clicks. As for us, we are rooting for more competition and we trust Google's approach to the Open Web as much as any other source. So listen to the podcast, about 20 minutes in length, to see if you think we are on target.
Related Posts:
louisgray.com: Google Me This, Google Me That. Can Google Me Trump Facebook, Or Will It Fall Flat?
SF Weekly: Is Google About to Launch a Facebook Killer? Kevin Rose Says So.
Also noted:
The Official Microsoft Blog: Microsoft By the Numbers
louisgray.com: Author: Zuckerberg has "Total Control" Over Facebook
Chris Saad calling 'BS' on Facebook's data portability
This and all other EdgeTheory conversations can be found on the dedicated ET Conversations site.
Listen to the full recording below: