Sure, Orkut may be big in some nations. But in the US and Europe, Google is best known as a a search engine/e-mail provider. While the company lost out on its bid to own a stake in Facebook, maybe Google doesn't really need Facebook.
After all, what is a social network but a way to connect to other users with similar interests and tastes? While Facebook is a social network with applications for playing games, sharing books and movies, and so on, Google already has applications. Google also has a ton of information about your interests from your search history, e-mail, RSS subscriptions, GTalk, and even Checkout buying habits.
TechCrunch reports that Google is indeed working on a new social network that will combine features from a number of Google services. The social network reportedly bears the code-name Maka Maka, although that could change by launch. The platform would be open, meaning third parties could develop applications for Maka Maka. But the coolest part of the new service will likely be the fact that it could launch with access to a bunch of fully polished applications.
Not a lot has been said lately about Google's social network Orkut. Every once a while there is a story or two about government officials trying to shut it down, or about how it's been lacking in development, but Google does have plans for it.
A new design is scheduled, and it looks very fresh. The Orkut design team hasn't stated when it will be completely rolled out, but they have said that randomly selected groups of users will start to see changes. Its about time things started moving at Orkut, Google has a potential (Facebook) goldmine with this, and they have really been letting it slide. Ok, so it's big in Latin America, but what about North America, Europe and the rest of the world?
It seems like Google could be working on integrating Google Talk into their social networking tool, Orkut. The Google Talk and Orkut teams are rumored to be in the final stages of the developmental integration, with news of the rollout this week. Google came to the decision to integrate the two tools when they noticed that users of Orkut quite frequently had their Talk application open. Through the new Google Talk integration, Orkut users will be able to voice chat or instant message other users immediately. Users of Orkut, will also have their friends list show up in their GTalk users buddy list. Maybe this will pump up Orkut, and move it on up to competing with the likes of MySpace.
It's been a long time coming, but Google has finally handed over Orkut data to Brazilian authorities. Google is complying by surrendering data on users with the requests that were requested by Brazilian courts.
Brazilian prosecutors are investing illegal activity that might be going on inside of Orkut, Google's social network, and sued Google for the requested information. Google has been fighting the requests because Brazilian prosecutors had requested information from Google's Brazilian subsidiary, but Google US owns and runs Orkut from the US. Thus extending the process because all requests had to be sent to the California offices.
Sure, Orkut may be big in some nations. But in the US and Europe, Google is best known as a a search engine/e-mail provider. While the company lost out on its bid to own a stake in Facebook, maybe Google doesn't really need Facebook.
It seems like Google could be working on integrating Google Talk into their social networking tool, Orkut. The Google Talk and Orkut teams are rumored to be in the final stages of the developmental integration, with news of the rollout this week. Google came to the decision to integrate the two tools when they noticed that users of Orkut quite frequently had their Talk application open. Through the new Google Talk integration, Orkut users will be able to voice chat or instant message other users immediately. Users of Orkut, will also have their friends list show up in their GTalk users buddy list. Maybe this will pump up Orkut, and move it on up to competing with the likes of MySpace.
It's been a long time coming, but Google has finally handed over Orkut data to Brazilian authorities. Google is complying by surrendering data on users with the requests that were requested by Brazilian courts. 
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