Google Working on Facebook Rival
By Chris Weiss
After the raging success of its Buzz social networking service (sarcasm), Google is looking to expand its play in the social arena. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Internet giant is shopping around for partners to develop social games, which will play a part in an expanded social network. The report indicates that it has been in talks with such gaming developers as Electronic Arts and Playdom, Inc.
Gaming is rumored to be a part of a new social networking service that may go by the name of “Google Me.”
Google’s move into social networking is becoming one of increasing urgency, as search and advertising dollars continue to shift over to social networking leaders like Facebook and Twitter. Facebook has recently been catching up to Google in measures such as U.S. traffic and directing users.
It’s not yet known when Google hopes to launch the new service. [via WSJ]
