Byron is…
Google
Facebook
Twitter
CrunchBase
LinkedInAnd Google continues to steamroll everything
So anyone who knows me at all probably knows that I am a huge user of Google products (ref: my own post all about Google here). Several days ago, Google launched Google Buzz, basically a new way to waste your day away very effectively. 
I spoke to several people and commented on how Google demonstrated the power of harnessing a build in user base, in this case, Gmail. Recall when Google wave was first launched: There was huge demand for invites, with people actually willing to pay to get into this new, exclusive club. In my eyes, once everyone got invited, nobody used it. Perhaps the communication protocol was too complicated – people did not need this new form of email/IM. Add on the fact that it was all residing on a new site? It’s no wonder that nobody (well, that I know) uses it.
But then look at Google buzz. At the end of the Google press conference, the product had already launched for the media who were there, and by the end of the day, many people already had it. It is built into Gmail, allowing – no, forcing – users to be force fed updates from their friends. And really, it’s quite interesting what has resulted from it.
Over the first 24 hours of launch, Google logged over 9 million posts and comments (http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/11/google-buzz-security-stats/). That is an insane amount of activity. I can actually see this as supplanting Twitter as the go to microblogging page. Twitter did a good job as the first to market, and trained people to type message in sub 140 characters. Now that people get it, Google doesn’t need to limit “buzzes”.
I personally have already seen people’s messages with up to 15 comments following it, many of those people who have never used Twitter. Google incorporating the Buzz inbox in your Gmail just makes it so easy. This is really just my own prognosticating, but people are likely to pick this up, and continue using it. That is, if they aren’t sick of all the updates and turn Buzz off altogether.
What should I check out at CES?
Taking requests! I’ll be in Las Vegas for CES and will be at the Exhibition floor Friday and Saturday.
Google takes over my life.
Google oh Google
I use your products too much
Virtual Byron?
Google has been all over the news in recent days due to their huge amount of products coming out, Namely Google Music and Google Navigation, the new maps app on Android 2.0
Folks who know me and see my computer at any time during the day will see that my entire life is basically utilizing things that are made by Google.
So a huge list of what things I use is probably too boring for you to read, but it’s just interesting to see how much information, time, and effort i have invested in Google. I’m sure they could create a clone of me, learning my interests from GChat and Google Reader, my voice from Google Voice, my friends from GChat and Gmail, what things I have to do from Calendar and Gmail, and the work I am doing on Docs and Wave. I guess it’s a little scary to see that they have so much information about me, but i guess when you’re good, you’re good. All I know is, whatever Google comes out with next, I’m sure I’ll be one of the first on the bandwagon.
If a huge list of things is really what you want to see, It’s below. The graphic below eases you into it by showing the various products I am currently using in order of how often I feel i use them. After is the fatty list that mentions some of the things I use them for. Got any suggestions or questions? Let me know, I am always reachable! (on Google talk and Gmail)
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/byroncheng
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- GMail. This is the big daddy of Google products. I use this to aggregate my personal, Northwestern, and TechCrunch email. It’s sorted into various categories, and I try to utilize some pseudo form of Inbox Zero that John turned me on to (ask me for details)
- Google Talk. I use the program when I am at home, and GChat when I’m not. It’s gotten more popular, and IM is always useful
- iGoogle. Currently my home page, it holds various useful at a glance info, including North by Northwestern, CNN, BBC, and the Weather. I’ve also got Google Voice (and Latitude for kicks)
- Google Reader. Simple RSS feed reader that channels all the information I will ever need about technology (and food) to me directly. Yeah, TechCrunch says that RSS is dead (I agree, it’s really slow compared to twitter) but it works when I’m not always connected.
- Google Calendar. I organize my life around this. Probably the most critical to my mental health – I need to know what i am doing.
- YouTube. Biggest time sink in the world. And I love it.
- Google Voice. One of the newer guys in the party, Google Voice got a lot of press for being rejected from the App Store. Was really useful when I had no cell signal in Slivka, but with the addition of cell phone repeaters, was not as useful. It’s there as a stopgap measure if i get a new phone number
- Google Wave. Probably the most cutting edge and WAY demanded ( get @ replies asking for invites still), I’m using Google Wave for some work with TechCrunch. It’s also being used for other collaborative work.
- Google Docs. Was really useful before I discovered Dropbox (link) but now used for more info distribution.
- Google Chrome. Something that will soon become an OS. It’s my browser of choice for work on my 2133 because Firefox sometimes slows it down a bit too much.
- Google Analytics. The product I started using the most recently. It’s what I use to track my views and clickthroughs on this page.
- Goog-411. Use it on the road all the time to find out information of my destination. Great when I’m late for a dinner reservation – I just get connected to the restaurant and push it back.
- Google Maps. Although I had some problems with nonexistent addresses before, it’s gotten better. I’m sure if i pick up and Android phone I’ll definitely take advantage of its increased capabilities.
- Google Apps. U.Northwestern runs on this. I go to NU and have an @u email. That’s about it.