Will Google ‘Send’ a mobile, social Gmail application?
The Wall Street Journal reports that Google will tomorrow announce more “social” features to Gmail, such as status updates and sharing content. Considering that Gmail is a primary, free email service, this is a really great innovation for consumers. It also threatens dominant, dedicated social networks like Facebook and Twitter unless they too can be integrated into the Gmail social streams. Hopefully they will be.
What about mobile? Currently, Gmail can be accessed by every major mobile platform through IMAP setting, but I think that a social Gmail would require an entirely new application to utilize more rich functionality. This provides Google an opportunity to differentiate Android with a best-in-class social Gmail experience and extend its presence on other phones like Blackberry and iPhone with must-have social Gmail applications — like it has with Google Maps.
At risk will be those computer and mobile applications like TweetDeck and Tweetie that already aggregate social feeds like a social Gmail would, but don’t provide that core email service to complement. Also at risk are mobile check-in applications like Foursquare, which would have a hard time competing with a social Gmail mobile application that has the same GPS functionality and services (maybe without the gaming/novelty component).
Speaking of services, this is where a social Gmail mobile application could really excel. With its recent acquisition of AdMob, Google is ramping up the mobile advertisement services. By drawing from a pool of data drawn from a connected social network, email and search, the ad services could be incredibly targeted and sink the competition.
Social Gmail may be an evolutionary step for the email platform, but it could be revolutionary for Google’s mobile strategy.
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4 Comments, Comment or Ping
Lara Underhill
It seems to make sense that Google would take this next step and evolve into the social media realm, but I assume people will be hesitant to jump in. I will take a “wait and see” attitude until all of the details are released, but I think they will have to have some compelling new features to compete with Facebook. People jumped from MySpace to Facebook over time because it was ulitmately easier to use. It may be that Gmail’s new tools will be so compelling that people will make the switch. I also worry about privacy again. I hope they are immediately upfront with their policies.
Feb 9th, 2010
Margery Nabors
I would like to speculate around the topic of “connections/followers/friends” within Gmail. What will Google label our relationships? “Gs?” Holler back, G!
On the same topic, I am interested in how we build and manage our network of Gs. Gmail is currently the fourth most popular e-mail service and the fastest growing (according to comScore). Regardless, I surmise that people don’t necessarily have their network, or all of their close friends, in their address book. Does that mean people will have to go through the “friending” process yet again? Carrying this idea forward, will we be able to find our friends through another platform? What about the process of “unfriending” those people who have exchanged emails once in their life, but have no desire to connect socially. I think this could be a cumbersome task if you have to vet your entire address book.
Feb 9th, 2010
Jessica Roberts
Interesting that a month later, there are no further posts or comments on a google product. Google “Wave” was the talk of the social media world for a month or so before launch. Who wasn’t asked at least a few times a week: “Have your received your Wave invite yet?” The tried and true Google release plan failed with Buzz.. as did Buzz itself. Apparently, it failed so fast and so furiously we don’t even care enough for a postmortem.
Mar 9th, 2010
Sam
Google has simple strategy – to expand its influence and cover new segments of markets, which are in between of major tools like email and social media.
However Google is behind of the market in this case and their attempts to invent bicycle will not provide as much effect as leaders have already.
The problem that Google and other media are facing now is in more complicated and oversaturated applications. It distracts people who already has accounts in hundreds websites from use of new tools.
The new opportunities lie in convergence of different technologies and platforms. I’m sure if Google had Facebook or other social media tools in his email service that could increase number of potential users.
Though there are new markets in developing countries and lower-income segments.
Mar 14th, 2010
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